If I Had a Hammer
Lopez Trini Lyrics
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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
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
The song “If I Had a Hammer” was written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in 1949 as an anthem for the progressive movement. It became a hit for Peter, Paul, and Mary in the 1960s, and the Lopez Trini version in 1963 was the first bilingual version of the song reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The lyrics express the sentiment that if the singer had a hammer, a bell, or a song, they would use these tools to fight for justice and equality for all. The hammer is a tool for building and destroying, but in this context, it is being used to hammer out “danger” and “a warning” about injustice. The bell is a symbol of freedom and equality, ringing out to alert people to the need to fight for these values. Finally, the song is a call to action beyond just the hammer and the bell. It’s suggesting that everyone can make an impact, especially by loving and caring for their “brothers and sisters.”
The song’s resonant lyrics lend themselves to a number of interpretations, but its main message is clear: if we unite and work together, we can build a more just and equitable society. The song is a powerful call to action, and it remains relevant today. It’s a reminder of the power of music to inspire social change and a reminder that every one of us has the power to make a difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
If I had a hammer
If I had the power to change things
I'd hammer in the morning
I would work on it early
I'd hammer in the evening
I would work on it until late
All over this land
Everywhere
I'd hammer out danger
I would fight against the dangers
I'd hammer out a warning
I would let people know of the dangers
I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters, ah-ah
I would promote love and unity among people
If I had a bell
If I had a way to be heard
I'd ring it in the morning
I would let people know early
I'd ring it in the evening
I would let people know until late
I'd ring out danger
I would make a sound to alert of danger
I'd ring out a warning
I would make a sound to warn people
I'd ring out love between my brothers and my sisters, ah-ah
I would make a sound to promote love and unity
If I had a song
If I had the voice to reach people
I'd sing it in the morning
I would try to reach people early
I'd sing it in the evening
I would try to reach people until late
All over this world
Everywhere in the world
I'd sing out danger
I would sing about the dangers
I'd sing out a warning
I would sing out the warnings
I'd sing out love between my brothers and my sisters ah-ah
I would sing out about love and unity
I got a hammer
I have the power to make changes
And I've got a bell
And I have a way to be heard
And I've got a song to sing
And I have a voice to express myself
It's the hammer of justice
It's the power of bringing about justice
It's the bell of freedom
It's the sound of freedom
It's the song about love between my brothers and my sisters
It's the message of love and unity
All over this land
Everywhere
All over this land
Everywhere
All over this land
Everywhere
All over this land
Everywhere
All over this land
Everywhere
All over this land
Everywhere
Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: LEE HAYS, PETE SEEGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@freeguy77
One of the most memorable songs (to a pre-teen kid) in early 1963, played repeatedly on my little 6-transistor radio! The song was so good, it hit the Billboard Hot 100's Top 10 for two different artists! Peter, Paul and Mary hit #10 with it in 1962, and Trini Lopez hit even bigger with it in 1963, in the middle of the civil rights movement, at #3. Trini was 26 then, 82 now in Jan. 2020. What a timeless standard for love and peace, "all over the world."
@arnaldogomez9146
And ...Rita Pavone made an Italian version
@ricardomafiosobelmontcassi734
Original song of Pete Seeger
@freeguy77
Trini Lopez lost his life on Aug. 11, at 83. He celebrated his final birthday on May 15. He was born in Dallas, TX, died in Palm Springs, CA. In 1955/56 Trini Lopez and his band worked at The Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby, the nightclub owner who assassinated Lee Harvey Oswald on Nov. 24, 1963.
@burcinakaln4732
😔👏👏👏😚
@burcinakaln4732
😍😔👏👏👏👏👏
@stevepotocin9501
When Trini sings that "Bell" part, and the drummer hits the middle of that ride cymbal, the Holy Spirit of rock action enters my soul!
@d1i2a3n4n5e6
Me too and I'm a drummer
@bhodges00
That drummer was Mickey Jones who was the drummer for Kenny Rodgers and First Edition. He was also an actor. He guest star on Home Improvement.
@jimmypeters
@@bhodges00 Also a member of the group eventually known as The Band, backing Dylan on his 1966 world tour when Levon Helm took a hiatus.