Question

Conditionals.

Приведу строки из песни:

If I were a boy,i think I could understand. (Beyonce)

Понятно что это условное предложение 2 типа (описывающее нереальное действие). И to be в данном случае будет во всех лицах использоваться как were. Но что тогда со строками из следующей песни???:

If today was your last day, tomorrow was too late, could you say godbue to yestrday? (Nickelblack)

 Вопрос: ПОЧЕМУ ТУТ WAS ???

Answer 1

Язык постоянно меняется.M.Swan.Practical English Usage. Some examples of changes in modern English...subjunctive "were" is becoming less common.If I was ten years younger,I 'd do the job myself. I wish it was Friday. Там еще много интересного,глава 312.

Answer 2

Еще чуть добавлю. После выражений suppose, wish,would rather,if, as if,as though, можно использовать were вместо was. The man looked as if he was/were drunk. Were is a little old-fashioned and formal here,except in the phrase "if I were you". If I were you, I'd eccept the offer.

Источник.Oxford Guide to English Grammar.242. J.Eastwood.