If I Had a Hammer
Peter. Paul and Mary Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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, uh

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, oh

If I had a song
I'd sing it in the morning
I'd sing it in the evening
All over this land
I'd sing out danger
I'd song of out a warning
I'd sing out love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land, oh

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
It's a hammer of justice
It's a bell of freedom

It's a song about love between my brothers and my sisters
All over this land

Overall Meaning

The song "If I Had a Hammer" by Peter, Paul, and Mary is a powerful protest song that advocates for social justice, freedom, and love. The hammer, the bell, and the song represent tools for change, warning against danger and promoting love between people of all races and backgrounds. The first stanza asserts the singer's commitment to using the hammer to hammer out danger and a warning, and love between their brothers and sisters. The second stanza brings the bell into the picture, echoing the same sentiment but ringing out the warning and love loudly. The third stanza introduces music, where the singer uses their voice to sing out danger, and a warning about the current situation in society. Finally, in the last stanza, the singer affirms that they have access to these tools — a hammer, a bell, and a song — and that they are using them to promote justice and freedom all over the land.

The song was written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in 1949 and popularized by Peter, Paul, and Mary in 1962. It quickly became an anthem for the civil rights movement and was subsequently adopted by other social justice movements. Interestingly, it became a popular song during the Vietnam War protest, and also against McCarthy's investigation into communists. The simplicity of the melody and lyrics made the song easy to sing along to, helped spread the message and it became a staple in protest rallies around the world.

Line by Line Meaning

If I had a hammer
If I had the means and power to create change

I'd hammer in the morning
I would work tirelessly to create change every day

I'd hammer in the evening
My efforts to create change would not be limited to specific times of day

All over this land
My efforts to create change would extend everywhere

I'd hammer out danger
I would work to eliminate anything that poses a threat to society

I'd hammer out a warning
I would alert people to potential dangers

I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters
I would strive to create harmony and love between all people

All over this land, uh
Everywhere in the world

If I had a bell
If I had another way to make my presence known

I'd ring it in the morning
I would make my presence known early in the day

I'd ring it in the evening
I would continue to make my presence known throughout the day

I'd ring out danger
I would alert people to potential dangers

I'd ring out a warning
I would provide warnings about any potential threats

I'd ring out love between my brothers and my sisters
I would create joy and love between all people

All over this land, oh
Throughout the entire world

If I had a song
If I had another tool to spread my message

I'd sing it in the morning
I would use this tool early in the day

I'd sing it in the evening
I would use this tool throughout the day

I'd sing out danger
I would make people aware of any potential dangers or threats

I'd sing out a warning
I would provide warnings about any potential threats

I'd sing out love between my brothers and my sisters
I would create joy and love between all people

All over this land, oh
Throughout the entire world

Well, I've got a hammer
I have the means and power to create change

And I've got a bell
I have another way to make my presence known

And I've got a song to sing
I have another tool to spread my message

It's a hammer of justice
My efforts to create change are aimed at creating a more just society

It's a bell of freedom
My efforts to create change are aimed at promoting freedom

It's a song about love between my brothers and my sisters
My message is one of love and unity between all people

All over this land
Everywhere in the world

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lee Hays, Pete Seeger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@melaninsupergurl-vu4uv

@@SophiaSchwartz009 stalinist communists with the hammer of the hammer and sickle.

Written for the Progressive Party which was controlled from Moscow because they needed a new face because HCSA was going to make CPUSA illegal.

Progressive equals Communist.

Don't let anyone fool you.

AOC, ANTIFA etc.

All comments from YouTube:

@h2d127

8w↑10

Sent this song to my friend who’s going through chemotherapy and all he wants to do is ring the bell 🔔 which will signal his success. Please pray for him every one who reads this message. Thank you so much!

@alanstar9175

8w↑1

Praying for your friend to get through this most difficult time of his life. May he be blessed and surrounded with good, loving, and positive energy. Sending him lots of this energy for recovery.

@user-cy2oc2bj1g

16w↑14

Im 47yo.. When i was 6yo my dad would play this song while doing carpentry in our house... Thanks dad for all our wonderful memories, grateful to God for giving me the best dad in the whole world.. Rest well in heaven... You are forever in my heart!❤❤ ❤❤

@pmimagery1295

37w↑44

This is the first song I ever learned to sing. I used to sing it to my grandparents, may God bless their souls.

@not2tees

2y↑19

The hammer of justice, the bell of freedom . . . they ring forever.

@Teho231

36w↑13

There’s something about that song that speaks to my heart even when I first heard it as a child in the 60’s. Thank you for this wonderful download.

@bigbadwolf200335

1y↑2

We used to sing this in school in the 60's and 70's

@beckyyeagersmith7252

7y↑450

IF any of us had HALF the conviction as Mary singing this song, swinging her hair...meaning it. By golly, we'd get things DONE .

@wislinman

7y↑12

Mary Travers for President (I know...)!!!

@9175rock

6y↑2

Smh

@johnlinnon2629

5y↑12

The intention of us who believe in justice and freedom for all, as I do, is right on. It's the extremism of the tactics and attitudes from those on the fringes, left or right, that's destructive and self-defeating. The problems of the world were caused by the totality of all of us, throughout history. Both sides have made errors. We're just pointing fingers at ourselves. We need to work toward meeting each other in the middle, compromise. Neither 'side' can just have it's own way, because for one thing, both sides have some valid points. Although I believe more so, on one side, as in yin yang. Activism is best done in moderation, not extremism. Organize behind the scenes, not in the street. Low-key.

@russellpappalardosr5318

4y↑6

And that a fact

@egreenbery

2y↑4

I think that's what Pete Seeger and Lee Hays had in mind when they wrote this song. It's amazing how such simple lyrics can be so powerful.

11 More Replies...

@poetgb

13y↑80

One of the all time great folk songs,and nobody did it better than Peter Paul and Mary.

@briansetpente1019

49w↑2

So lucky my mom and dad had me listening to Peter Paul and Mary 👍

@sagebrushwyoming7911

8y↑593

I was 12, going over summer fallow wheat ground with a John Deere 730 tractor and rod weeder singing this song at the top of my lungs. It was the only way a 12 year old doing a job like that could stay awake. Yes, back then we drove tractors at 12 and even younger. After one particular day, I drove into the yard where my dad and neighbor were standing with big smiles on their faces as they began to tease me about my loud singing. They said they didn't know much about that song but they knew the lyrics after my day of singing. It was the first time I realized how far your voice carries on the right kind of day. Such good music back then. I dare not think about it much because it makes my heart yearn for it again.

@JonesNate

8y↑28

Awesome comment!

@jtiso2395

8y↑24

that was a wonderful reflection, ty for sharing :)

@jtoddjb

7y↑25

what a great memory. Thanks for sharing. Must have had some lungs to sing over the music of the popping johnny

@John1948Ten

7y↑22

I stacked hay on my Uncle's farm one summer. My cousin ran the tractor with the front lift and I worked the stack with my state of the art pitchfork!

@John1948Ten

7y↑8

No but in Nebraska in the 1960s everyone knew some farmers and many had relatives who farmed. It was a pretty good life although a bit slow for me.

33 More Replies...

@anonagain

4y↑276

And here we are in June 2020. History may not repeat itself, but it rhymes a lot. This time the hammer, the bell, and the song are going to prevail.

@jlmurphy253

4y↑13

I read this: The hammer is the judge’s gavel and the bell is the Liberty bell!!

@reidlewis4966

4y↑7

Amen.

@loc1k

4y↑6

Yesssss!

@toomaskarmo9435

3y↑5

And so they did. (signed, as amateur observer in Estonia, on 2020-11-07) Toomas Karmo

@johnwalker6380

3y↑5

Brilliant..

15 More Replies...

@rnhealer6044

2y↑33

A lot of people covered this song, but Peter, Paul, and Mary sang it the best. Thank you for this great clip. This message still rings as true as it did in the '60s. It was a hell of a time to come of age.

@eddyvideostar

Dear RN Healer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwOYE-Msa6U

@rnhealer6044

@@eddyvideostar Eddy, thank you for the link. Nicky Thomas's rendition of Blowing In The Wind is excellent. I love Reggae, I;m going to listen to more of his songs.

@eddyvideostar

@@rnhealer6044: Thank you. If you could link Nicky's rendition of Blowing in the Wind, this would be appreciated. I'm having difficulty locating it.

@rnhealer6044

@@eddyvideostar You mean the one you sent me earlier? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwOYE-Msa6U.

@annec4019

this is 2022. my 8 yo came home belting this out from school! :D :D :D

@raymond7880

30w↑5

60s folk rock coincided with my early childhood so this era brings deep sighs and yearning for those lovely days. I knew even then they were too good to last.

@113dmg9

5y↑121

I guess I didn't realize just how strong a voice Mary had.
Incredible!

@richardmcmahon302

1y↑3

Catch their 25th anniversary special. She still had the pipes then.

@josephasner171

1y↑2

Beautiful song. stilll love it today. there has never been a folk music trio like Peter Paul and Mary and there never will be one like them again.

@113dmg9

1y↑5

@@josephasner171 - And they didn't have to have 20 choreographers nor a light show, nor fireworks going off in the background in order to make it a powerful song!

@paulschut5873

1y↑3

... or scantily dressed performers simulating sex acts to distract us from poorly written songs that that will soon be forgotten.

@user-gn9vu7wn7t

@@113dmg9 Dionne Warwick and her sister did a great spiritual with coreography, when utilized correctly and in the companion of greatly talented people it can work wonders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WOzIULY0Wg

@elisabethmashinic2911

7y↑183

Just an amazing, committed, passionate performance. Mary was so beautiful.

@marvinthemaniac7698

3y↑3

She died from leukemia in September 2009.

@brianserpente4366

2y↑3

One of their best songs👍just to name a few

@tomgiorgio9037

1y↑1

I just came here because of the news lately so this song reminded me of recent events.

@chazzjazz6906

1y↑29

Phenomenal Trio! GREAT SONG! Performed to perfection, Mary's vocal is sensational! RIP sister!

@KevinJohnson-jc9ju

I was 3yrs when this came out..I do remember hearing it

@blossom1643

Wow! That was a nice flashback!! Thanks for sharin!!✌️

@aarond3657

3y↑1

So good

@sr009

4y↑1

Never needed this more than NOW...

@KIMMYSSONG

3y↑1

God bless you

@SaltiDawg2008

1y↑1

Every teen-age boy in the country had a crush on Mary at the time .

@superguy199

3y↑6

When i was really young, my grandma would always say "If i had a hammer", and now i finally know where she got it from

@thomast8539

4y↑34

I came along later, but I have to tell you, that Mary shaking her head, throwing back her hair with attitude, just sells the passion in her voice. Oh yeah, the boys are pretty good too.

@emmabradford0137

1y↑1

Mary is incredible, one of my idols

@dianeegillis4256

Brings me back

@user-qq3ff1jq3t

1y↑14

I'm 39 now and PPM is the best!!!My dead father loved it. I have listened to them since I was born. I love Mary's powerful voice.

@johnmitchelljr

Thank you.

@rubiannabalderama9619

1y↑1

I don't need a hammer anymore just happiness and the freedom to be me

@toddshaffer4807

48w

I was in 8th grade and our school gym was turned into a 3 person acoustic vocal womder called"PETER-PAUL&MARY. I WAS SO HOOKED I BEGAN A CHRISTMAS WISH LIST THAT MY PARENTS GAVE ME IN 1965 A GENUINE SEARS "KAY" 6 STRING.

@rhondabaroli2683

2y↑1

Namaste love and light and music !

@andrewtodaro2874

7y↑201

This song's message is relevant now more than ever.

@isaacfresquez5623

4y↑6

Amen Brother

@italia689

4y↑5

Blowin in the wind, If I had a hammer, Where have all the flowers gone, even Barbara Allen will never, ever be irrelevant.

@georgeetoile6686

4y↑4

And in 2020.

@lilianpierce4115

4y↑1

great point!

@AntajuanGrady

3y↑1

sure is!

1 More Replies...

@carolyngardner4999

4y↑1

Mary was bad ass.. RIP !

@dingoboy8798

2y↑1

Here we are in 2022, fathers day, from California to Manchester listening to this bolox 🥰

@jadegblueparrot8606

Tonyp's live crew listening to this absolute bollocks :D

@stephanietorres5679

This brings me memories of a good friend of the our family who used to sing this song to us smal children.

@bridgetmunoz4646

5y↑7

I just answered this Jeopardy question!! I was only 3yrs old but I remember my Mom being a BIG fan of this group. Playing there songs regularly. My husband 10 years my jr. didn’t recognize until I used YouTube to refresh his memory. THANKS for bringing the beautiful remembrance of my dear MOM to mind.❤️❤️❤️

@alexfrankie5071

Awesome! 👏👏
What part of the World are you listening from?

@tzadiko

2y↑2

59 years ago!

@vincebdaniel5324

3y↑2

Justice, freedom, and love. A timeless message. Will it go forever go unheeded?

@Shorky_shark

7w↑1

Pete seeger go 🔥🔥🔥

@esteslaugh2585

Classy, wonderful

@marksmith-sx5eh

37w↑3

I was 7 years old when this song was released. Still brings tears to my eyes.

@s1nd3r3llee

4y↑2

We REALLY need this truth in our country NOW.

@alexfrankie5071

Yeah, we do! It seems we share and have the same music taste. It will be nice if we share music and gain a friend if you don't mind. May I ask where are you from?

@rogerrosewall6

32w↑1

A national treasure!

@wilrobles5392

The were a great trio.

@peggytucker945

Perfect message and song for our country this July 4th 2022!!!

@Jah_LEASE_yah

6y↑68

Still relevant. Great music with real meaning transcends time.

@user-kn9sb8sm5r

P, P, & M do a bang-up job on If I Had A Hammer!

@jacqueroller

29w↑1

A SONG FOR OUR CURRENT TIMES!

@14.1guy2

4y↑4

I saw Arlo Guthrie in concert at a small Pennsylvania college in 1977. As he was getting ready to play City of New Orleans, a tall fellow walked down the aisle carrying a banjo. Arlo had no idea that Pete Seeger was going to join him that night for a couple of songs. Apparently, he was in the area for a charity event in Pittsburgh that weekend. One of my great memories was hearing the two of them play this song and This Land is Your Land.

@abbiekokee3576

And look how nice
They dress and look.
When artists took
Pride in their
Appearance and
Knew how important
Their fans were.

@juliawilson4407

3y↑1

Our school choir sang this song for our Annual celebration and everyone loved it!

@northstar3345

4y↑46

LOVE THIS, LOVE THEM! I remember I was in 7th grade and me and my friend were in a talent contest and we sang this and WE WON! I loved them even before that, they were the BEST EVER!

@rodrogers6895

2y↑2

“My friend and I”

@richarddavis8863

That's a great memory thanks for sharing :)

@pamelaeverly2981

3y↑1

Was born 1961 one of my favs still la cali

@dean5220

Hello Pamela, How are you doing?

@gregwarner3753

1y↑11

I am fortunate to have listened to this group the first time around. Their songs spoke the truth then and still do.

@chrisspeaks4552

1y↑4

Their songs will never become old

@sylviaodhner7516

10w

Just turned 60 yo. My DAD used to sing this to me, as well as Beatles " I wanna hold your hand" Everytime he took my hand to cross the street....

@karenharris3183

we had lots of love in that year

@teetsmagee5553

1y↑3

So amazing that they sing this song in 1963.....I wasn't born and my mom was only 6 years old. Great song. Blows my mind

@emmaivanov7101

4y↑6

aug 2020 we need music like this more than ever. legendary.

@jeffwright7373

4y↑1

You are so right

@ryanloughlin154

Here here

@gaylenelson6231

2y↑7

Powerful singing with superb harmonies A classic

@davidanthonystone5165

I saw them as a kid in 1962 and for 45 years until Mary’s passing. One of a kind
They were like trapeze artist vocally
Mary could go from a contralto to a countertenor.

@rhondabaroli2683

I jus want to say I drew their pic s and it’s on my friends fridge I love old folk songs and Mary T was an earth angel fir sure. She had cancer later in life she rest wth the angels now but left a beautiful legacy and touched our lives and she loved her family !

@kimimilawacipiwinyan848

2y↑2

First Concert Age Of 10! Still Needs To Be Resounded!

@drstevie

beautiful.

@kevinreffitt9635

2y↑5

Gee Whiz! Everytime I hear the opening of this song Mary's voice draws me in like on no other tune. I'm suddenly 7 years old again, with a growing awareness of my surroundings in the Year of 1962.

@jimmydemoret

TY for this great post.

@techfortwo120

5y↑2

Story time of how I found this song:
I work at an after school program for middle schoolers and I have my carry my guitar wherever I go. And today an older gentlemen I believe a grandfather of one of our kids, this guy looked at least in his 70’s and he picked up my guitar and held it as he looked at it. I saw him pick it up and I just stared, one of my co workers was about to tell him that it was my guitar but I mouthed from across the room to just wait and see what happens. After holding it for a second he pulls up a chair and starts to play this song he starts slow and he gets a little louder as you can tell he loves this song, he plays so well and with such passion that my boss hears it from his room and comes out to see the what the noise is. While this man plays this song all the the kids are quiet which is rare for children of the middle school age. Everyone watches as he plays his song and when he finishes all of the kids and most adults start to clap. The man had a huge smile on his face and he puts down my guitar says thank you and walks out. After a few min everyone goes back to what they were doing. I don’t know why this moment is sticking to me but I hope I never forget it

@bshuler2185

What a wonderful gift to you and all!!

@FordModelA-kp9ko

Was für eine tolle Frau RIP

@Steve-yo4ld

1y↑5

This made me smile, and brought back so many wonderful memories of my mom and dad! A time of innocence, we were young and had the whole world ahead of us!❤

@ThirteenJun

2y↑1

"its the hammer of justice
the bell of freedom
its a song about love between my brothers and sisters
all over this land"
Anthem 2022 !

@jlholmes8

34w↑1

Please listen, this and it’s Ilk, are just if not more important today than then. Why do we still need to be reminded we are one people? Where are the Martins and Bobbys today? We need them now more than ever.

@thomaspeters5889

3y↑5

I was 5 yrs old when I first heard this. I would grow up singing this song to myself forgetting its origin. My dad doesn't have a musical bone in his body but my mom was a big fan, liked to sing and because of a radio she kept on top of the refrigerator I was treated to all the great songs of the 60's and 70's. My dad bought her a stereo system and soon we were buying records from the Tower drugstore of Russ Solomon of Tower records fame located at 16th and Broadway in Sacramento, Ca. I've been a musician all my life and I thank my mother's influence.

@williambentley2309

1y↑4

This next one goes out to Paul P. in San Francisco.

@agneslloyd2463

3y↑1

I’m 69 years old and I just listened to PPM “puff the magic dragon” that song always made me cry. And I just did. In today’s world 5-8-2021 people need to listen to “If I had a Hammer”. I get patriotism is an influence in this great song. Half the country are true patriots and half are not. Sad commentary to describe the greatest country on earth. We need more singing. Especially this song. ♥️🇺🇸MAGA

@SophiaSchwartz009

3y↑2

Ya know that this song was written as a protest song against racism, support of labor rights, and social justice by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in the late 1940s. So yeah- especially this song.

@melaninsupergurl-vu4uv

@michaellazzeri9439

Can't watch without tears coming down--------i lived all of it & I LOVED P,P, & M.; RIP, gorgeous Mary. -------------------MJL, 75 y/o

@spazz.himself

1y↑1

this song has a whole new lease on life now BUHAHAHA

@pamelaeverly2981

3y↑1

Akron Ohio now la can born 1961 know all this music thank God for older siblings and 40 min as a teen rock and roll capital of the world boy best time to have grown up

@dean5220

Hello Pamela, How are you doing?

@michelleeden2272

1y↑1

It's a hammer of Justice
It's a bell of Freedom...

@voodookitchenmama

1y↑3

Amazing harmony from a much sweeter, simpler and innocent time.

@theresajesselli4880

I love this song.i was 2yrs old when it came out. I remember singing it with my brothers and my sisters

@michelle60134

4y↑4

I'm 62 we would sing this song on the school bus with the school bus driver leading us they were some meaningful times 1965-1966

@nataliarobinson9514

4y↑6

When I was a little kid, every night my dad would play all these oldies. Peter Paul and Mary were one of the bands he showed me and sisters, this brings back those summer nights before bed time. Too this day we still sing this song and others from them. We’re all teens now you would think we listen to “modern day” but this is our childhood.

@leosanvicente6539

Bttywt from IG brought me here. I love this song.

@joecamel8182

4y↑1

Please let’s all try to turn to kindness it’s a tough world we can over come with love.

@davidcrespo8768

Amazing...great group..on point..gave me an idea

@rodneystrom2749

6y↑3

An unforgettable trio Peter Paul and Mary

@buckaroo7886

3y↑1

I got to sing this for music class

@alfredbernasek3912

EINFACH TRAUMHAFTE MUSIK

@Putaspellonyou

8y↑155

Justice takes courage, damn hard work, and the voices of many...

@Xerxes2005

5y↑1

Yes, but right now the voice of Mary is all we need.

@godgod156

5y↑2

I think there is much to discuss on what hard work truly is.

@tammyallen8205

4y↑1

So, true. And some of us here listening to Mary & Peter & Paul are with them too & what we believe in. I have been a Voice & Stood On Important & Vital Issues. And Ifought for & Stood For & Still Stand & Help Those Who Can Not Stand ForThemselves.

@daytonglenn3195

True

@thomast8539

4y↑5

And equality before the law...regardless...no exceptions...

we no longer have a balanced system in the US...lay your blame where you see fit to do so, but I blame leftist ideology for tearing at the seams of our republic

3 More Replies...

@S.Ja.

1y↑1

Three fantastic voices…. I love marys voice. So beautiful…thank you

@tomevans4402

52w

Just great

@karajokoo

5y↑2

In 1963 I was only six years old, and I still love this tune.

@kt-dy8qw

Well in 2021 there IS an economics major, on one of these tareas (threads) that has not (yet) grasped: "love between the brothers and sisters"
Noun. hamer ( plural hamers ) A hammer (tool for pressing nails inwards). ( figuratively) A fierce individual; one with strong convictions or great force. ( rare) A doorknocker.

@kt-dy8qw

Congrats, more than 50+!

@marvinthemaniac7698

3y↑1

This song, Puff, and This Land is Your Land are my personal favorites.

@lilianpierce4115

4y↑17

love listening to their songs over every now and again, especially now since this message is so relevant. ◡̈

@hilaryapril7043

3y↑1

Lily...we had so much hope for the future in the 1960's...today's world is a nightmare!

@danoliver6000

7y↑2

I was 3 in 1963 I still love this.

@RKaine-qx3qy

I was 12 in 1963. I Loved 500 miles the 1st time I heard it, and still do.
I'm physically 500 miles from the place of my birth; life has taught me that home is where the heart is, so I'm always home. In a calm and happy place....

@bobsilver3983

6y↑6

If I had a time machine, I'd use it in the morning

@bshuler2185

I hear ya! But, We were born for such a time as this! Pick up our hammers, ring our bells, sing about love between our brothers and sisters....

@dmmchugh3714

5y↑16

Incredible song for 1963, 2018 or any year.

@philipgennuso5866

3y↑15

Still love this song so much, as much as I did when I first heard it! Amazing.

@williamgerkens573

1y↑2

10/28/2022 well this was timely.

@zweitaccount47

Hehe Dankeschön welche Kostbarkeiten

@boydbaxter

4y↑10

I remember exactly the moment it time when i first heard this song. 1967 i was in the back seat on the way to San Marcos with a group of college students to see a football game. One of the best tunes ever written and recorded.

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