SONG: Take This Hammer
ARTIST: Traditional, first collected by John % Adam Lomax
This song, with 4 or 5 others, are known as Hammer Songs: prison, logging, and railroad work songs.
The lyrics may vary depending on the band. It first was mentioned in writing in 1915.
G
Take this hammer
D
carry it to my captain
Take this hammer
G
carry it to my captain
Take this hammer
C
carry it to my captain
G
Tell him I'm gone
D G
Oh Lord, you tell him I'm gone
G
If he asks you
D
was I running
If he asks you
G
was I running
If he asks you
C
was I running
G
Tell him I was flying
D G
Oh Lord, you tell him I was flying
G
Take this hammer
D
carry it to my captain
Take this hammer
G
carry it to my captain
Take this hammer
C
carry it to my captain
G
Tell him I'm gone
D G
Oh Lord, you tell him I'm gone
G
If he asks you
D
was I laughing
If he asks you
G
was I laughing
If he asks you
C
was I laughing
G
You tell him I was crying
D G
Oh Lord, you tell him I was crying
G
Take this hammer
D
carry it to my captain
Take this hammer
G
carry it to my captain
Take this hammer
C
carry it to my captain
G
Tell him I'm gone
D G
Oh Lord, you tell him I'm gone
G
I don't want your
D
cornbread 'n' molasses
I don't want your
G
cornbread and molasses
I don't want your
C
cornbread and molasses
G
It hurts my pride
D G
Oh Lord, it hurts my pride
G
Take this hammer
D
carry it to my captain
Take this hammer
G
carry it to my captain
Take this hammer
C
carry it to my captain
G
Tell him I'm gone
D G
Oh Lord, you tell him I'm gone
