The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
If I had a hammer,
I'd hammer in the morning,
I'd hammer in the evening,
All over this land,
I'd hammer out danger,
I'd hammer out a warning,
I'd hammer out love between,
My brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.
If I had a bell,
I'd ring it in the morning,
I'd ring it in the evening,
All over this land,
I'd ring out danger,
I'd ring out a warning,
I'd ring out love between,
My brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.
If I had a song
I'd sing it in the morning
I'd sing it in the evening
All over this land
It's a song of ?
It's a song of ?
It's a song about love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land
Well, I've got a hammer
And I've got a bell
And I've got a song to sing
All over this land
It's the hammer of justice
It's the bell of freedom
It's a song about love between my
Brothers and my sisters
All over this land
I'd hammer in the morning,
I'd hammer in the evening,
All over this land,
I'd hammer out danger,
I'd hammer out a warning,
I'd hammer out love between,
My brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.
If I had a bell,
I'd ring it in the morning,
I'd ring it in the evening,
All over this land,
I'd ring out danger,
I'd ring out a warning,
I'd ring out love between,
My brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.
If I had a song
I'd sing it in the morning
I'd sing it in the evening
All over this land
It's a song of ?
It's a song of ?
It's a song about love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land
Well, I've got a hammer
And I've got a bell
And I've got a song to sing
All over this land
It's the hammer of justice
It's the bell of freedom
It's a song about love between my
Brothers and my sisters
All over this land
Lyrics submitted by kaleidoscopeeyes8, edited by mermy96
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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The Hammer represents the symbol of communism (the hammer and sickle), and the Bell of Freedom the Freedom Bell, given as a gift from the Americans to Germany to represent the fight of freedom against communism. The writer is encouraging peace between the two conflicting ideas at the time, and, even currently.
no, sorry, it is not an anti-communist song. Also it was written before the freedom bell was even made. The hammer and bell are both symbols of the work place. The song alludes to them being used as calls-for-actions. So it alludes to the labor movement and the struggle to equality.
I wasn't saying it was "anti" communist, I was saying it was pro-communist if anything. And the song written in 1949 and the bell came out in 1950? That's pretty close! But... with that said, I do think that you're probably right.
Why do they want to hammer "out" love? Don't they want it hammered "in"?
I think you have a point there.
The "Hammer" in this song is a metaphor for POWER, and a call to use that power to promote love and fight Injustice.
"If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)" is a song written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays. It was written in 1949 in support of the progressive movement. and was first recorded by The Weavers, a folk music quartet composed of Seeger, Hays, Ronnie Gilbert, and Fred Hellerman.
The United States Progressive Party of 1948 was a left-wing political party that served as a vehicle for former Vice President Henry A. Wallace's 1948 presidential campaign. The party sought desegregation, the establishment of a national health insurance system, an expansion of the welfare system, and the nationalization of the energy industry. The party also sought conciliation with the Soviet Union during the early stages of the Cold War.
The Freedom Bell (in German, Freiheitsglocke) in Berlin, Germany, is a bell that was given as a gift from Americans to the city of Berlin in 1950 as a symbol of anti-communism, and was inspired by the American Liberty Bell.
Hammer of Justice - To do right by the people Progressive Movement such as desegregation, nationalization of the energy industry healthcare for all Bell of Freedom - Basic freedoms all people should have and referencing the Freedom Bell as a sign of Anti-Communism
Song about love for all men.
Get the Trini Lopez version
hmm hard to think there was a time when the youth idolized peace, love etc etc. Nowdays being a selfish asshole seems to be the thing.
The youth hardly have a corner on that market. Far from it, in fact.
Aww, that's not true, Durango. You're just not meetin' the right people.
"Hammer out" in the creative sense--creating a rhythm, sounding a call.
Durango, you're so wrong. I can think of at least five fifteen-year-olds who value peace, love, etc.
So why does so much of the music of today say the opposite? I don't know, I just don't see a song like "If I Had a Hammer" ever flying with today's youth. It would most likely be laughed at and mocked, by and large. Yes, I know that there are youths that have the right values. I just wish that the popular so-called "artists" of today would produce something that reflects those values, instead of the cheap Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Bow Wow, Pink, etc. trash that passes for "musical expression" these days. I find it sad.
dude. you're looking at mainstream culture. i'm not so sure pete seeger (dude who wrote this song) was all that mainstream. like his peers, he was blacklisted for his communist beliefs. you gotta look past the mainstream to find the good shit advocating for a better world.
A hammer and a bell marks time...every hour on the hour. He's awaiting peace.
Great song. Meaning is abundantly clear.