The “If I Were a Carpenter” Challenge

A few nights ago, the song “If I Were a Carpenter” floated to mind, with memories of its hauntingly beautiful lyrics and melody. I looked up the lyrics, themselves a poem. Then I listened to lots of YouTube adaptations and marveled at the versatility and popularity of the song across so many pop genres. How so? The answer is simple. Every now and then a song comes out that is universal: it speaks across folk, country, rock, Motown, and I’m sure more. Adaptations flourish and keep coming out.

This is always a fasciation; it happens with great plays, great films, and great books and stories. Interpretations vary according to directors and performing artists. The point is that a work of art stands out as universal and craved by many—to see and hear in new forms.

“If I Were a Carpenter” touches so many sensitive spots in us, especially romance’s infinite need to be loved “anyway.” I’ve put the links to nine renderings of this song, one that is a single poem and melody but given to a variety of tempos, arrangements, and sensory appeals. You are invited to take the “If I Were a Carpenter” challenge.

Tim Hardin, the song’s author sings it at Woodstock in 1969.