Take This Hammer
Toumani Diabate Lyrics

The lyrics of Toumani Diabaté's song "Take This Hammer" essentially speak out against the oppression and maltreatment faced by the African American community in the United States during the Civil Rights Movement. In the song, the singer asks someone to take a hammer and deliver it to the captain as a symbolic representation of the generation that's ready to fight for change. The opening line of the song "Take this hammer, carry it to the captain" urges the listener to take a stand and confront the oppressors.

The following lines "Tell him I'm gone, tell him I'm gone" signifies a rebellious attitude towards oppression and that the singer is no longer willing to take it anymore. The lines "If he asks you was I running/Tell him I was flying" can be interpreted as an assertion of resilience and unwavering determination. It refers to the idea that if the oppressors were to ask if the singer was fearful and running away, the response would be that the singer was defiant and soaring high, making great strides towards change.

The final verse of "Take This Hammer" "They wanna feed me cornbread and molasses/But I got my pride, well, I got my pride" highlights the dehumanizing circumstances and systemic oppression faced by the African American community in America. Despite this, the singer affirms that they will not let their oppressors break their spirit nor lower their sense of self-worth. Through this powerful song, Toumani Diabaté encourages listeners to take up arms against social injustice and oppression, and to never be broken down by those who seek to do so.