In high school, I got my first -- my only -- acoustic guitar. I taught myself to play, and honestly, I never got very good, but I had loads of fun imagining myself a wandering hippie minstrel. One of the first songs I learned, If I Were a Carpenter, was written by Tim Hardin, who performed it live at Woodstock in 1969. Bobby Darin recorded it first, in 1966, and though his version was a commercial success, I've always loved the simplicity of Tim Hardin's own very first recording of it. An Earworm Award winner, if ever there was one. Here are the lyrics, in case you'd like to sing along.
If I were a carpenterAnd you were a lady,Would you marry me anyway?Would you have my baby?
If a tinker were my tradeWould 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?Answer me babe, "Yes I would,I'll put you above me."
If I were a millerAt a mill wheel grinding,Would you miss your color box,And your soft shoe shining?
Save my love through loneliness,Save my love for sorrow,I've given you my onliness,Come give your tomorrow.
If I were a carpenterAnd you were a lady,Would you marry me anyway?Would you have my baby?
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