Randy Newman - If I Were A Carpenter Lyrics






If I were a carpenter
And you were a lady,
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you have my baby?

If a tinker were my trade
Would you still find me,
Carrin' the pots I made,
Followin' behind me.

Save my love through loneliness,
Save my love for sorrow,
I'm given you my onliness,
Come give your tomorrow.

If I worked my hands in wood,
Would you still love me?
Answer me babe, "Yes I would,
I'll put you above me."

If I were a miller
At a mill wheel grinding,
Would you miss your color box,
And your soft shoe shining?

If I were a carpenter
And you were a lady,
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you have my baby?
Would you marry anyway?
Would you have my baby?





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Randy Newman If I Were A Carpenter Comments
  1. g.... ....

    Just heard a lovely reggae version of this tune by a Jamaican artist named John Holt. It's gorgeous. Flows like honey.

  2. J.... M....

    the ultimate question posed in a love song... would you have my baby.

  3. N.... A....

    Beautiful song. I’m probably gonna make a lot of enemies, but I prefer Bobby Darin’s version of this. Slower, more emotional, absolutely haunting, vocals just spot on. He was actually the first one me to record and release it, a hit in 1966. Check it out, it’s amazing.

  4. C.... A....

    I'm the baby of hippies, this is what home sounds like to me.

  5. M.... S....

    Thee Original...though Bobby Darin doth hath paid it Reverance.

  6. m.... g....

    ALLWAYS thought Bobby Darin wrote this song because he sang it great.

  7. p.... k....

    Legendary

  8. J.... B....

    https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=TIM+HARDIN+2+

  9. H.... A....

    Tim Hardin's song ranks with the best--because he describes love as it should be.

  10. G.... S....

    Frank & Dennise, The Wonder Years. 😍

  11. l.... f....

    The bass line in this song is incredible.

  12. E.... P....

    The first time i heard this song was 1970 -on the johhny cash show (sung by johnny and wife) i still love this song.. do you know where or when this was recorded??????? thanks for this great song...ppss check out this is tim hardin cd or lp on atco records 1967 great songs

  13. H.... F....

    One of the greatest Songs. Ever

  14. f.... t....

    Finn proposes to Meadow 🌹

  15. N.... A....

    So, he is imploring a woman he knows to be so shallow that she would care about economic status to the point that she wouldn't even associate with a proletarian; he is imploring that woman to love him and make babies for him? You fucking Boomers are toxic, you now that? First of all, fuck that shallow piece of garbage masquerading as a human being. go find someone who cares about the content of your character, not the value of your bank account. Second of all, he is literally valuing the worth of the very concept of a relationship on whether the woman bears his children, and lovingly rears them. Come on you creepazoids. That may not be anywhere near as rapy as most of the lyrics you and your icons produced during that time period, but fuck. How possessive can you possibly make a love song about a hypothetical woman whom you hope will love you and carry you through thick and thin? Maybe he should have included lyrics about her, or what he understood would be her expectations and capacity as a significant other.


    Seriously. It is incredibly possessive to sing about a woman who wouldn't want you if you were a proletarian, and then ask that woman to bear your children. Just fucking drop it and do some work on yourself, man. Fuck. It's pathetic. Your entire generation was singing and talking like this. Gives weight to the argument that, contrary to how you view us, you are actually the entitled ones.

  16. N.... P....

    The crack in his voice is heart wrenching.

  17. M.... B....

    Wow so cool

  18. r.... p....

    I really like this version. I really love that I wrote this.

  19. T.... ....

    It's a shame that he's gone. Not long after that, John Lennon was killed. I used to play this song all the time when I was playing coffeehouses in the early 80s

  20. H.... K....

    Still gives me goosebumps

  21. P.... G....

    One of the most beautiful, amazing songs ever written in my lifetime. And in less than 3 minutes! Love Tim Hardin always.

  22. G.... D....

    The Wonder Years

  23. B.... B....

    Decent but not as good as June and Johnny's, without the smack use and addiction probably would have been better !!!.

  24. K.... C....

    I actually am a carpenter and you could be too! Just fail miserably in school and you are three quarters there. Once you realise no one will employ you, that's when you become a carpenter! Yay! I've had 31 years work from it so far!!!

  25. A.... D....

    🇬🇧🇺🇸👍👌🔥🤙🤘🇦🇱🎸

  26. a.... c....

    Roni von fez um versão perfeita dessa música muito linda

  27. C.... A....

    When you get a chance give a listen to The Seldom Scene version from "Live At The Cellar Door" You won't regret it. AMAZING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcWFZHlEkfg

  28. R.... H....

    Guess I’m getting too old. Doesn’t seem like anyone writes like this anymore. Raw truth.

    R.... H....

    you may enjoy : https://nickharris.bandcamp.com/ and http://www.stevefolk.com/ :-)

  29. E.... J....

    How this guy is not a household name is beyond me... Every one of his songs is like a gold nugget. Even people who are music geeks don't usually recognise his name. A few years ago I was in a music club and we would play a couple of albums each week and discuss... I played Tim hardins 2nd album Tim 2. Everyone was blown away and bewildered by the fact that they hadn't come across it before... He is easily in the same league as Cohen or Neil Young... I have worked in the music industry and it is a sad reality that often the artists who are the most talented are usually quite troubled and uncompromising... Anyway if you like Tim hardin I can recommend you listen to this- https://youtu.be/9t0BZfiDa9E

  30. p.... L....

    I would like to know more about Tim Hardin, I have loved his songs since I first heard Misty Roses 55 years ago. I was a singer in a band and wanted to do some of his songs. I knew he had a bad addiction to heroin. He was very talented. He and Neil Diamond are my two favorites.

  31. x.... ....

    OMG...I love this song. I remember it played on radio way back in the 70's. Has the most incredible tempo and off times. Tremendous song and extremely influential. Everybody loved this song when it was released to radio. Thanks for uploading this!

  32. J.... F....

    such a beautiful voice and sound. thank you!

  33. J.... A....

    Incrível.

  34. k.... d....

    The definitive version with the tom tom beat - no cymbals on the drums -  Boy did he blow it at Woodstock - He was supposed to open the festival but was too smacked out to go on - Richie Havens took his place and BOOM ! He was in the film and career really took off.  RIP Tim and Richie !

  35. w.... a....

    Uma das mais belas músicas compostas na humanidade. Transcendental.

  36. g.... f....

    Pimp song. Bad ass

  37. M.... R....

    What a voice. Such a löss

  38. M.... ....

    Small Faces version is by far the best!!!

  39. B.... ....

    These lyrics are otherworldly

  40. R.... B....

    Just stunning wish i would have seen this at Woodstock...wow! I believe that Tim in the start up photo is re-writing the lyrics or changing them,which ever its Beautiful

  41. S.... v....

    I'm dying up here - brought me here S02E09 ( different song though - red balloon )

  42. E.... D....

    Would you?

  43. L.... M....

    Well I wonder what did the guy in the song actually worked at? He asks what would happen if he were a carpenter or a miller, but what was he? We'll never know. A banker, a lawyer a doctor, a stock broker, what ? He seems to suggest being a carpenter would be a step down. A bit pompous, no? Wasn't Jesus a carpenter, after all?

    L.... M....

    Levi Must I think he's wondering if his woman is really in love with him, or perhaps, only his wordly goods. Would she love him if he were a simple, humble person with no status or wealth?

  44. J.... P....

    i just watched an older movie called factory girl.the song called red balloon was at the end and it just felt so,well i cant explain...and now i have gone down the rabbit hole.this music is so lonely in me.i love it

  45. b.... ....

    Just PERFECT ...

  46. g.... s....

    If I were a colander and you were spaghetti would you marry me anyway would you have my yeti? I'm only kidding Elvie.  Beautiful. Fly pelican!  Bless me father for I have sinned.

  47. b.... S....

    If I was a carpenter and you were a douchebag...

  48. A.... ....

    Simply the best singer / songwriter ever. " He sang from his heart "

  49. r.... t....

    ♫Save my love through loneliness
    Save my love through sorrow
    I give you my only-ness
    Give me your tomorrow♪

  50. P.... J....

    If I was a carpenter , speaking to people with a sensitive mind ...

  51. T.... ....

    So I've always loved the Sublime bootleg "Prophet" and was not aware of this song. I'm watching the Sopranos and they used this song over the credits of one of the later episodes. Immediately recognized that Prophet was a rework of it. This song is great.

  52. K.... E....

    Brings to mind Nick Drake’s “Man in a Shed”. Strikes at one’s soul

  53. G.... ....

    Quite possibly the most perfect love song ever written. Incomparably beautiful.

  54. J.... S....

    Fantástico from Brazil.2018.

  55. l.... f....

    That voice, the bass line..... Incredible.

  56. W.... B....

    If I were a carpenter, and you were a lady
    Would you marry me anyway?
    Would you have my baby?
    If a tinker were my trade, would you still find me
    Carrying the pots I made, following behind me?
    Save my love for sorrow
    Save my love for lonely
    I've given you my tomorrow
    Love me only
    If I worked my hands in wood, would you still love me?
    The answer quick, "Tim I could, I'll put you above me"
    If I were a miller at a mill wheel grinding
    Would you miss your collared blouse, your soft shoes ashining
    Save my love for loneliness
    Save my love for sorrow
    I've given you my only-ness
    Give me your tomorrow
    If I were a carpenter, and you were a lady
    Would you marry me anyway?
    Would you have my baby?

    W.... B....

    Almost correct, this is what he really sings:


    If I were a carpenter, and you were a lady
    Would you marry me anyway? would you have my baby?
    If a tinker were my trade, would you still find me
    Carrying the pots I made, following behind me?

    Save my love for sorrow, save my love for lonely
    I've given you my tomorrow, love me only

    If I worked my hands in wood, would you still love me?
    You answer me quick, "Tim I could", I'd put you above me"
    If I were a miller, at a mill wheel grinding
    Would you miss your coloured blouse, soft shoes and shining

    Save my love for loneliness, save my love for sorrow
    I've given you my only-ness, give me your tomorrow

    If I were a carpenter, and you were a lady
    Would you marry me anyway? would you have my baby?

    W.... B....

    Skadam1 nice try but no cigar. I'll stick with my lyrics thank you very much. It sound's exactly like he sings "The answer quick." There's no "you" in there and I don't hear any "me" either and his "me's" are very distinctive. I am fairly certain it's "collared blouse." Think about it, why would a coloured blouse be a big deal? Fabric dye has been around forever and costs nothing, however, a blouse with a collar is a bit fancy. It's definitely "ashining" it's an old fashioned word and this song has an old fashioned vibe, so it's fitting he would say "ashining," it's also more poetic. Anyway, "and shining" doesn't really make any sense. Why bother with the "and"?

    W.... B....

    Skadam1 ......yes, I’ve always known the lyrics you cited to be correct. I always thought the “coloured blouse”, along with her shoes was simply how Tim depicts the lady’s “finery” - her “pretty things” as it were. And I can clearly hear “you answer me quick”. The one exception to your lyrics is I only ever hear “soft shoes shining”. I think it’s Robert Plant who sings “coloured box” (or boxes) - likewise, I feel it’s a reference to the lady’s personal possessions, perhaps cosmetics or jewellery.

    W.... B....

    Sorry Linda "fake account" Jones but there's no "you" in there. And why would he sing about a jewellery box then shoes; blouse and shoes makes much more sense. Nice try Skadam1 no doubt I'll be hearing from another of your sock puppets in due course.

  57. h.... s....

    Saw Ryley Walker sing Carpenter a few weeks back. Heart in throat listening to that.

  58. S.... ....

    If were a wall street stock broker, and you were a laid off drag queen, would you plant Paulownia trees with me saturdays, would you name our pet platypus Mavis?

  59. B.... L....

    I lived across from his grandparents growing up. Met Tim once not long before his death. What a talent, a real loss. His grandparents were so very nice.

  60. S.... W....

    All these years later. It never got better. What a tunesmith.

  61. S.... H....

    Do you know I miss these songs so much they make me cry x

  62. W.... ....

    Oh, how I adore this melody from infancy!

    Lovely tonal treatment solicits and implores the hands of an apprehensive but beautiful and majestic lady in matrimony.

    "If I Were A Carpenter And You Were A LADY, Would You Marry Me Any Way; Would You Have My Baby".

    Jesus of Nazareth, the son of a HUMBLE carpenter, has become the perpetual
    Hope of humankind's rebirth and immortality.

    Despite the humility of his birth, Jesus paid the price for our sins so that we, the all of us, might at last go to Heaven, and thus saved by His precious blood.

    What a thoughtful and beautiful song!

  63. H.... ....

    The Wonder Years brought me here

  64. J.... M....

    don't TRY the H .... it feels TOO good .... and is SO powerful

  65. P.... ....

    This is the version I was looking for. Simply the best.

  66. a.... v....

    a real troubadour in the real sense

  67. C.... B....

    If I ever get married, this would my first dance. Love it.

    C.... B....

    Let's do it!

  68. m.... l....

    Leslie West does a great rendition also.

  69. R.... L....

    a hEMINGWAY IN HIS WORDS,GREAT,JUST.......

  70. A.... L....

    The (This) ORIGINAL ist the Best - Thanks for Tim Hardin ;-)

  71. A.... W....

    fuck man, what a drag this guy OD'd. Lived in upstate NY and was part of the scene there with the Band and others. RIP brother. Victim of smack.

  72. A.... W....

    If a stinker were my trade would you still find me smelling the farts I made following behind me.

    A.... W....

    If I had a big dark hole I put you in it.....

    A.... W....

    @Per Jahn I'll help you!

  73. d.... ....

    Such a fine song, and many thanks for the slides :-)

  74. R.... B....

    I love this man

  75. J.... T....

    Great music, but the foundation of drugs sure didn't create the utopia they touted back in the day. Just read an article about Woodstock, and the Swami opened the event by a speech claiming how the people there would change the world. Unfortunately, that generation and the one after (I'm one) have turned my country into one of the biggest money grabbing war-mongers. Ironically sad.

  76. h.... ....

    Have been listening to the several songs Mr. Darin recorded of Mr. Hardin's. All superb, whether sung by Darin or Hardin. Same is true when Hardin sang Darin's. Both SUPERB ARTISTS! They both blessed us with so many treasures.

  77. F.... s....

    Small Advantages' student was here.

  78. C.... W....

    I was fortunate to see him in a small venue (a bar) in Cincinnati in late 1969, and the quality of his voice was spellbinding. He was very high but it did not detract from his great singing.

  79. b.... ....

    I have the album and believe me the tempo here is too fast.

  80. M.... C....

    The Wonder years brought me here.

  81. h.... c....

    If I were a carpenter would you be my labourer…

  82. A.... W....

    If I was a crackhead and you were a lady would you marry me anyway would you have my crack baby?

  83. T.... D....

    what a voice!

  84. t.... ....

    8 people weren't carpenters

  85. S.... ....

    I saw him live in the Village back in the day. A gifted performer.

  86. j.... ....

    There's the REAL lyric: "Would you miss your colored blouse" (1:27) - not the way almost every cover version does it, "Would you miss your color box"!

    j.... ....

    josiemax I thought it might be collered blouse - as in one that is tailored, rather than a peasant smock.

    j.... ....

    Mmm, but I do like "colour box" - her box of watercolours; it's a nice period touch.Best,Barrie

    j.... ....

    @Barrie Thurlow I always took "color box" to mean Color TV!

    j.... ....

    Nothing wrong with that, Josie!Best,Barrie

    j.... ....

    And why not, Josiemax!

  87. J.... G....

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/nv8sko6hpqm6tir/New%20Republic%20rev123.pdf?dl=0
    In the New Republic, members enjoy resuming the restoration of the Constitutional republic from JFK’s point of interruption, can
    see for miles and miles, and enjoy Liberty in building out properties and the local means of production, with the capability to sow, nurture, grow, harvest, store, cook, engineer, design, program, automate, construct, process, raise, teach, hunt, defend, provide, debate, organize, compose, and sustain.

  88. R.... P....

    GEFÄLLT MIR,ich klampfe das auch gerne,so geil....

  89. E.... B....

    I am the black sheep boy

    E.... B....

    I am the black sheep girl ... and proudly so.

  90. R.... A....

    Wonder Years

    R.... A....

    also best show ever

    R.... A....

    Frank and Denisse, for sure

    R.... A....

    Yep. That show had the best soundtrack in my opinion. Amazing stuff.

  91. J.... F....

    Thumb up! Beer up!

  92. R.... L....

    Wow, the original!

  93. B.... M....

    After hearing many versions of this song, nobody beats Bobby Darin (live or the Soprano version). Just as far as I`m concerned. question of taste

    B.... M....

    But plant has second place!!!

    B.... M....

    and nobody else could pull that off as good as Plant, , But yeah Your Right,,

    B.... M....

    I think Bobby Darin's versions are over-orchestrated.  I like the simpler versions that allow the lyrics and melody to shine.  A matter of personal taste, I suppose. :)

    B.... M....

    yeah you're right Bobby Darin's version was the best Johnny Cash to the great version 2

    B.... M....

    Thomas Smith .......Steve Marriott sure could! I love Tim singing his own songs but Marriott (with The Small Faces) does an incredible version of this one, I far prefer it to Plant. It’s all personal preference naturally.

  94. M.... S....

    Great song, incredible musician....

  95. B.... B....

    Like Nick Drake, his choice of chords alone are enough to get you in the heart.

    B.... B....

    Neither is in The Rock & Roll Hall Fame.

    B.... B....

    T. Hardin did not DO rock and roll. He was Folk all the way.

    B.... B....

    Do you consider them rock and rollers?

    B.... B....

    Excuse me, folk and jazz ...all the way.

  96. m.... ....

    thinking bout the past tonight and listening to Tim...crazy memories of his band partying at my NJ house many years ago while on tour...love to Susan and Damion! Cousin Molly

  97. V.... P....

    Fantastic songwriter, sadly underrated...

  98. b.... p....

    LOVE THIS GUY!!