If I Had a Hammer
Trini Lopez
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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, ah-ah 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, ah-ah 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 world I'd sing out danger I'd sing out a warning I'd sing out love between My brothers and my sisters ah-ah All over this land I 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 the song about love between My brothers and my sisters All over this land All over this land All over this land All over this land All over this land All over this land All over this land
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Written by: LEE HAYS, PETE SEEGER
Lyrics © Tratore, T.R.O. INC.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song's Origin"If I Had a Hammer" was originally written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in 1949.
- The song was first recorded and released by their group, The Weavers.
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Specific ThemesThe song contains themes of progressive change, the struggle for workers’ rights, and the Civil Rights Movement.
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Pete Seeger's PerspectiveSeeger often declared that he hoped the song would be used by groups struggling for freedom.
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Peter, Paul and Mary VersionThe folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary also made a popular recording of this song which contributed to its widespread popularity.
- Their version was a top 10 hit in the US in 1962.
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Trini Lopez VersionTrini Lopez recorded a live cover of this song at the nightclub PJ's in Hollywood in 1963.
- This version reached number one on the Billboard Easy Listening charts and was a top 3 hit on the Pop charts.
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Impact on SocietyThe song became one of the anthems of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s as well as a symbol of the international peace movement.
- In 1982, the song was performed at a rally attended by more than half a million anti-nuclear protesters in New York City's Central Park.
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Recognition"If I Had a Hammer" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006, highlighting its significant impact on American music.
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InterpretationMany interpret the song's hammer, bell, and song to symbolize the tools of social justice or revolution.
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Covers by Other ArtistsApart from Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Trini Lopez, multiple well-known artists have also covered "If I Had a Hammer," such as Leonard Nimoy, Aretha Franklin, and Johnny Cash pointing at its enduring appeal.
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International InfluenceThe song has been translated into many languages and recorded by musicians all around the world, reflecting its global impact.
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Citation
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"If I Had a Hammer Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/5804171/Trini+Lopez/If+I+Had+a+Hammer>.
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