Hammer
Ron Lyrics

Joan was quizzical; studied pataphysical
Joan was curious and had a deep interest in abstract, unconventional science.

Science in the home.
She pursued her scientific studies even in the comfort of her own home.

Late nights all alone with a test tube
She would spend evenings by herself, experimenting with chemicals in a test tube.

Maxwell Edison, majoring in medicine
Maxwell Edison was studying to become a doctor.

Calls her on the phone.
He contacts Joan over the phone.

"Can I take you out to the pictures, Joa, oa, oa, oan?"
Maxwell asks if he can take Joan out to watch a movie.

But as she's getting ready to go, a knock comes on the door.
Just when Joan is preparing to leave, someone knocks on her door unexpectedly.

Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer came down upon her head.
Suddenly, Maxwell violently strikes Joan's head with a silver hammer.

Made sure that she was dead.
The hammer blow was fatal, causing Joan's death.

Back in school again, Maxwell plays the fool again.
Maxwell returns to school and resumes his foolish behavior.

Teacher gets annoyed.
His teacher becomes irritated by his actions.

Wishing to avoid an unpleasant scene.
The teacher wants to prevent a potentially unpleasant situation.

She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away.
She instructs Maxwell to remain in the classroom after everyone else has left.

So he waits behind, writing fifty times "I must not be so, o, o, o".
During his punishment, Maxwell obediently writes the sentence "I must not behave in such a way" fifty times.

But when she turns her back on the boy, he creeps up from behind.
Taking advantage of the teacher's distraction, Maxwell sneaks up on her from behind.

Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer came down upon her head.
Once again, Maxwell mercilessly strikes the teacher's head with his silver hammer.

Made sure that she was dead.
The hammer blow kills the teacher.

P. C. Thirty-one said, "We caught a dirty one."
The police officer states that they have caught a criminal.

Maxwell stands alone, painting testimonial pictures.
Maxwell is left isolated and starts creating paintings that serve as evidence or tributes.

Rose and Valerie, screaming from the gallery
Two women named Rose and Valerie express their outrage from the audience.

Say he must go free (Maxwell must go free)
They argue that Maxwell should be released without punishment.

The judge does not agree and he tells them so, o, o, o.
The judge disagrees with their plea and vocalizes his decision.

But as the words are leaving his lips, a noise comes from behind.
Just as the judge is speaking, a sudden noise interrupts the proceeding.

Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer came down upon his head.
Unexpectedly, Maxwell strikes the judge's head with his silver hammer.

Made sure that he was dead.
The hammer blow kills the judge.

Whoa, oh, oh, oh.
This line serves as a musical interlude without specific meaning.

Silver hammer man
This line refers to Maxwell, who is characterized by his silver hammer.