If I Were a Carpenter – English Lyrics

• By: Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the heartfelt exchange of "If I Were a Carpenter," a classic duet by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. This song offers a beautiful way to explore English vocabulary related to relationships, professions, and emotions, through its simple yet profound lyrics about enduring love and commitment, making it special for language learners.

[English]

If I were a carpenter

And you were a lady

Would you marry me anyway

Would you have my baby?

If you were a carpenter

And I were a lady

I'd marry you anyway

I'd have your baby

If a tinker was my trade

Would I still find you?

I'd be carrying the pots you made

Following behind you

Save your love through loneliness

Save your love through sorrow

I gave you my onlyness

Give me your tomorrow

...

If I were a miller

And a mill wheel grinding

Would you miss your colored blouse

And your soft shoes shining?

If you were a miller

And a mill wheel grinding

I'd not miss my colored blouse

And my soft shoes shining

Save your love through loneliness

Save your love through sorrow

I gave you my onlyness

Give me your tomorrow

...

If I worked my hands on wood

Would you still love me?

I'd answer you, yes I would

And would you not be above me?

If I were a carpenter

And you were a lady

I'd marry you anyway

I'd have your baby

Save your love through loneliness

Save your love through sorrow

I gave you my onlyness

Give me your tomorrow

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
carpenter /ˈkɑːrpəntər/ B2	noun - a person who builds and repairs wooden structures or objects
lady /ˈleɪdi/ A2	noun - a woman, especially one who is polite or of high social standing
marry /ˈmæri/ A1	verb - to join together in marriage
baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1	noun - a very young child
tinker /ˈtɪŋkər/ B2	noun - a person who repairs small metal objects as a hobby or for a living verb - to attempt to repair or improve something in an informal way
trade /treɪd/ B1	noun - a skilled job, especially one requiring manual skills
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a deep affection or strong feeling of attachment verb - to feel deep affection for someone
loneliness /ˈloʊnlinəs/ B2	noun - the feeling of being alone and isolated
sorrow /ˈsɑːroʊ/ B2	noun - deep distress, especially caused by loss or disappointment
onlyness /ˈoʊnli.nəs/ C1	noun - the state of being the only one; uniqueness
tomorrow /təˈmɒroʊ/ A2	noun - the day after today
miller /ˈmɪlər/ B2	noun - a person who operates a mill, especially for grinding grain
wheel /wiːl/ A1	noun - a circular object that rotates on an axle and is used to move vehicles or machines
grinding /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/ B1	verb - to crush or pulverize something by friction noun - the act or process of grinding
colored /ˈkʌlərd/ A2	adjective - having a particular hue or tint
blouse /blaʊz/ B1	noun - a loose upper garment, typically worn by women
soft /sɒft/ A1	adjective - not hard or firm; gentle
shoes /ʃuːz/ A1	noun - footwear that covers the foot and is typically worn outdoors
wood /wʊd/ A1	noun - the hard, fibrous material that forms the trunk and branches of trees
hands /hændz/ A1	noun - the end parts of the arms that are used for grasping or feeling

Key Grammar Structures

• If I were a carpenter And you were a lady

  ➔ Second conditional (unreal present)

  ➔ The verb "were" is used instead of "was" to form a hypothetical condition (second conditional).

• Would you marry me anyway?

  ➔ Modal verb "would" for polite question in a conditional

  ➔ "Would" expresses a hypothetical request or question.

• I'd marry you anyway

  ➔ Contraction of "I would" showing conditional result

  ➔ "I'd" = "I would"; it signals the outcome of the imagined condition.

• If a tinker was my trade Would I still find you?

  ➔ Past simple in the if‑clause (second conditional)

  ➔ "was" (past simple) after "If" marks an unreal situation in the present.

• I gave you my onlyness

  ➔ Simple past tense

  ➔ "gave" is the simple past form of "give", showing a completed action.

• Give me your tomorrow

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ "Give" is the base form used to issue a direct request or command.

• If I worked my hands on wood Would you still love me?

  ➔ Past simple in if‑clause + modal "would" in result clause (second conditional)

  ➔ "worked" (past simple) sets up an unreal condition; "Would" shows the imagined result.

• If I were a miller And a mill wheel grinding

  ➔ Present participle "grinding" used as a reduced relative clause

  ➔ "grinding" modifies "mill wheel" and describes an ongoing action without a full clause.