Skip to song content

Johnny Cash - If I Were A Carpenter Ukulele Chords

ChordsG, D, A
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.


If I were a [G]carpenter, [D]and you were a [A]lady,
would you marry me [G]anyway, [D]would you have my [A]baby?
If you were a [G]carpenter, [D]and I were a [A]lady,
I would marry you [G]anyway, [D]I would have your [A]baby.


If a tinker [G]was my trade, [D]would I still [A]find you?
I would be carrying the [G]pots you made, [D]following be[A]hind you


[G]Save your love through [A]loneliness,
[D]save your love through [A]sorrow.
I gave you my [G]loneliness,
[D]give me your to[A]morrow


[G] [D] [A] [G] [D] [A]


If I were a [G]miller, [D]at a mill wheel [A]grinding
Would you miss your [G]colored blouse, [D]and your soft shoe [A]shining?
If you were a [G]miller, [D]at a mill wheel [A]grinding
I would not miss my [G]colored blouse, [D]and my soft shoe [A]shining.


[G]Save your love through [A]loneliness,
[D]save your love through [A]sorrow.
I gave you my [G]loneliness, (both) [D]give me your to[A]morrow


If I worked my [G]hands in wood, [D]would you still [A]love me?
I would answer you [G]“yes I would”.
[D]And would you not be a[A]bove me?


If I were a [G]carpenter, [D]and you were a [A]lady,
I would marry you [G]anyway, [D]I would have your [A]baby.


[G]Save your love through [A]loneliness,
[D]save your love through [A]sorrow.
I gave you my [G]loneliness,
[D]give me your to[A]morrow

AlbumSingle
GenresCountry
Year1970
KeyG
DifficultyEasy

How to play If I Were A Carpenter on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Johnny Cash - If I Were A Carpenter on ukulele requires 3 chords and 3 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

If I Were A Carpenter uses these transitions most often: D → A (22), A → G (21), and G → D (19). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with G - D chord transition.

1. G → D chord transition

To move from G to D;

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to C string fret 2.
  3. Slide your ring finger on E string from fret 3 to fret 2.
G to D

2. D → A chord transition

To move from D to A;

  1. While playing D, lift your ring finger from E string fret 2.
  2. Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on C string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
D to A

3. A → G chord transition

To move from A to G;

  1. Slide your index finger on C string from fret 1 to fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Place ring finger on E string fret 3.
A to G

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in If I Were A Carpenter.

  • If I Were A Carpenter includes 68 chord transitions, 3 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • If I Were A Carpenter contains 2 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how If I Were A Carpenter connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After A, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
    • A → D: 29%
    • A → G: 13%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → D: 24%
    • G → A: 6%