[Intro: Child & Leadbelly]
Well, Mr. Ledbetter, since it's almost time for us to get to school and get back to work again, how about singing another work song for us?
How about the one called 'Take This Hammer'?
Oh, that's mighty fine
That's my theme-work song
And you know about that song? There's something a little funny about this song
Different from all other type of work songs
Every time the hammer says "hah," the men, the hammer falls
And the other time they say "hah" then that hammer rings
And every time they say "hah," that hammer swings
Then they sing "take this hammer and give it to the captain and tell 'im I'm gone"
I'm gonna have the children join me in a few minutes when I get over there

[Chorus: Leadbelly]
Take this hammer (hah!)
And carry it to the captain (hah!)
Take this hammer (hah!)
And carry it to the captain (hah!)
Take this hammer (hah!)
And carry it to the captain (hah!)
You tell 'im I'm gone (wah!)
You tell 'im I'm gone (wah!)

[Verse 1: Leadbelly]
If he asks you (wah!) was I runnin'? (wah!)
If he asks you (wah!) was I runnin'? (wah!)
You tell 'im I was flyin' (wah!)
You tell 'im I was flyin' (wah!)
[Bridge: Leadbelly]
Come with me now, children, all the way through there

[Verse 2: Leadbelly & Crowd]
If he asks you (wah!) was I laughin'? (wah!)
If he asks you (wah!) was I laughin'? (wah!)
You tell 'im I was cryin' (wah!)
You tell 'im I was cryin' (wah!)

[Verse 3: Leadbelly & Crowd]
I don't want no (wah!) cornbread and molasses (wah!)
I don't want no (wah!) cornbread and molasses (wah!)
I don't want no (wah!) cornbread and molasses (wah!)
It hurts my pride (wah!)
It hurts my pride (wah!)

[Chorus: Leadbelly]
Take this hammer (hah!)
And carry it to the captain (hah!)
Take this hammer (hah!)
And carry it to the captain (hah!)
Take this hammer (hah!)
And carry it to the captain (hah!)
You tell 'im I'm gone (wah!)
You tell 'im I'm gone (wah!)