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.

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.