You can either thank or blame frizztext and his very fine blog http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/transporting-music-to-the-next-generation/ for this Leadbelly song which I’m trying once more to sing, because frizztext reminded me about it.
It’s a very well-known prison song, although I always thought that it was talking about a runaway slave. Many people have recorded it, and, like all these folksongs, there are lots of different versions and lyrics. The Nine-Pound Hammer song also shares its roots with Take this Hammer. Leadbelly’s version is most distinctive, and the one that I heard first. It’s quite simple to play, so I hope you will try it too.
Take this hammer and give it to the captain
Take this hammer and give it to the captain
Take this hammer and give it to the captain
Tell him I’m gone.
If he ask you was I laughing
If he ask you was I laughing
If he ask you was I laughing
Tell him I was crying
If he ask you was I runnin’
If he ask you was I runnin’
If he ask you was I runnin’
Tell him I was flyin’
An Occasional Story 
Beyond stunning ! Brava! Keep the music flowing – it’s the best remedy for any kind of day/night. cheers.
Thank you very much, Shaheen.
Great song, and a lovely Bumbaversion. However, simple though it may be, it’s too complex for this non-musician.
Don’t feel that you can’t pick it up. It ain’t so hard. Now, classical music and jazz are hard – for me at least. It’s certainly fun to try. And, again personally, playing music opened up my appreciation of all music.
very good song, I enjoyed listening to it! Well done.
Ciao, Francina
Thank you
Quality song there.
Thank you.
hi Stephen,
a tribute (with link) to you:
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/my-own-voice/
thank you for giving the courage to me, to sing in a foreign language (I’m German)
– I hope you can understand my frizzenglish …
You’re right. English is so dominant a language today and American music so widespread. So all the more power to you. Your song sounded great by the way.
I’ve set a link to you at
with a BEATLES version …
Thanks for the link.
hi Stephen!
http://soundcloud.com/frizztext/take-this-hammer
you inspired me to start my day recording this song on my Gypsy guitar …
Sounds very good.
Great song.. thanks for sharing!
…love this song!
Thanks Marina. It’s a great song.