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


Lyrics submitted by kaleidoscopeeyes8, edited by mermy96

If I Had a Hammer song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    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.

    JayDP123on May 09, 2014   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Why do they want to hammer "out" love? Don't they want it hammered "in"?

    pkt1190on February 28, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    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.

    kat4552on August 26, 2019   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Get the Trini Lopez version

    Foundation4lifeon June 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    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.

    Durang0on January 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Aww, that's not true, Durango. You're just not meetin' the right people.

    *****on June 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "Hammer out" in the creative sense--creating a rhythm, sounding a call.

    Raziel the Wiseon August 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Durango, you're so wrong. I can think of at least five fifteen-year-olds who value peace, love, etc.

    SideshowJazz1on October 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    A hammer and a bell marks time...every hour on the hour. He's awaiting peace.

    funnywhenurquieton April 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great song. Meaning is abundantly clear.

    PhilipSpenon November 05, 2012   Link

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