If You Were a Sailboat

by Katie Melua

If you were a cowboy, I would trail you, If you were a piece of wood, I’d nail you to the floor, If you were a sailboat, I would sail you to the shore, If you were a river, I would swim you, If you were a house, I would live in you all my days, If you were a preacher, I’d begin to change my ways, Sometimes I believe in fate But the chances we create Always seem to ring more true, You took a chance on loving me, I took a chance on loving you. If I was in jail, I know you’d spring me, If I were a telephone, you’d ring me all day long, If I was in pain, I know you’d sing me soothing songs. Sometimes I believe in fate But the chances we create Always seem to ring more true, You took a chance on loving me, I took a chance on loving you. If I was hungry, you would feed me, If I was in darkness, you would lead me to the light, If I was a book, I know you’d read me every night. If you were a cowboy, I would trail you, If you were a piece of wood, I’d nail you to the floor, If you were a sailboat, I would sail you to the shore, If you were a sailboat, I would sail you to the shore.

Exercise 55. What “would” is it: Conditional or Future-in-the-Past?

1. I’m a bit annoyed that he didn’t call me. He promised me he would.

2. In your place I’d give it a miss.

3. I’d love to come.

4. I’m a bit worried about my screening. – Who wouldn’t?

5. He warned he’d be late.

6. I’d get my ticket in advance if I were you.

7. I would if I could, but I can’t I’m afraid.

Exercise 56. Brainstorm ideas.

1. If you were an actor, what kind of actor would you be?

2. If you were a film-director, what kind of film-director would you be?

3. If you were a screenwriter, what kind of screenwriter would you be?

4. If you were a producer, what kind of producer would you be?

5. If you were a director of photography, what kind of director of photography would you be?

6. If you were a film sound designer, what kind of film sound designer would you be?

7. If you were a production designer, what kind of production designer would you be?

8. If you were a movie critic, what kind of movie critic would you be?

Exercise 57. Complete these short conversations using Conditionals.

Example: A: I wonder why you don’t go out more often.

B: I just don’t have enough time. If I had more time I’d go out more often.

1. A: I wonder why Brian hasn’t got any friends at university.

B: He isn’t outgoing enough.

2. A: I wonder why Bob owns over 3,000 movies.

B: He’s a film buff.

3. A: I wonder why Mark and Julie don’t get on.

B: They don’t have much in common.

4. A: I wonder why you didn’t like that episode.

B: It felt contrived throughout.

5. A: I wonder why Jessica didn’t turn up at the audition.

B: She had a sore throat.

6. A: I wonder why they didn’t stay at that hotel.

B: It doesn’t have a comfortable ambience.

7. A: I wonder why Sally didn’t enjoy the play last night.

B: She didn’t have a good seat.

8. A: I wonder why Michael turned down that role.

B: He’s fed up with playing villains.

Exercise 58. How do you think these people influenced the world of cinema?

Start your answers with: But for …