"Stonecutters Cut It On Stone" is a song featured in the 1956 film Carousel with music composed by Richard Rodgers and lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is performed by Cameron Mitchell, who plays the role of Jigger Craigin, a sailor and friend of the protagonist Billy Bigelow. The song is a cynical commentary on the futility of human endeavors, as Jigger sings that everything people do will eventually be forgotten or destroyed, except for the stonecutters who carve their names on stone. It is also used to contrast Jigger's pessimistic worldview with Billy's hopeful one, as Billy tries to convince him to join him in a robbery plan that could change their lives.
Lyrics[]
Jigger:
I've never seen it yet to fail
I'll never see it fail
A girl who's in love with a virtuous man
Is doomed to weep and wail
Stonecutters cut it on stone
Woodpeckers peck it on wood
There's nothin' so bad for a woman
As a man who thinks he's good!
Nice talk!
My mother used to say to me
When you grow up, my son
I hope you're a bum like your father was
'Cause a good man ain't no fun!
Jigger and Men:
Stonecutters cut it on stone
Woodpeckers peck it on wood
There's nothin' so bad for a woman
As a man who thinks he's good!
Enoch:
'T ain't so!
Jigger:
'T is true!
All:
'T ain't so!
Jigger and Mеn:
'T is true!
Carrie and Girls:
I've nеver seen it yet to fail
I'll never see it fail
A girl who's in love with any man
Is doomed to weep and wail
Girl 1:
They're even worse after they marry you!
Girl 2:
You oughta give 'im that ring back, Carrie!
You'll be better off!
Girl 3:
Well, he's a mighty, unmarried man
You should take 'im!
Carrie:
The clock just takes your life away
There's no relief in sight
It's cookin' an' it's scrubbin'
An' it's sewin' all day
An' God knows what in all night!
Girls:
Stonecutters cut it on stone
Woodpeckers peck it on wood
There's nothin' so bad for a woman
As a man who's bad or good!
