Recorded in 1987
Written by Traditional • Unreleased song
Last updated on January 5, 2025
Timeline This song was recorded in 1987
This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:
Jan 14, 1969
Jan 31, 1969
Jam session with John Lennon & friends
Mar 28, 1974
Jul 20, 1987
Paul McCartney: Ten Days in the Life
Feb 20, 1980 • From RollingStone
From Wikipedia:
“Take This Hammer” (Roud 4299, AFS 745B1) is a prison, logging, and railroad work song, which has the same Roud number as another song, “Nine Pound Hammer”, with which it shares verses. “Swannanoa Tunnel” and “Ashville Junction” are similar. Together, this group of songs are referred to as “hammer songs” or “roll songs” (after a group of wheelbarrow-hauling songs with much the same structure, though not mentioning hammers). Numerous bluegrass bands and singers like Scott McGill and Mississippi John Hurt also recorded commercial versions of this song, nearly all of them containing verses about the legendary spike driver, John Henry; and even when they do not, writes folklorist Kip Lornell, “one feels his strong and valorous presence in the song”. […]
Skiffle player Lonnie Donegan recorded a version of “Take This Hammer” in 1959. John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr likely had this version in mind, when they played “Take This Hammer” on January 14, 1969, during the Beatles’ “Get Back” sessions.
Take this hammer take it to the captain take this hammer take it to the captain
Take this hammer take it to the captain tell him I'm gone tell him I'm gone
If he asks you was I runnin' if he asks you was I runnin'
If he asks you was I runnin' tell him I's flyin' tell him I's flyin'
Tell the captain I was headed for the river tell the captain I was headed for the river
Tell the captain I was headed for the river tell him I swim tell him I swim
Take this hammer take it to the captain take this hammer take it to the captain
Take this hammer take it to the captain tell him I'm gone gone gone tell him I'm gone
When that steamboat comes down the river when that steamboat comes down the river
When that steamboat comes down the river I'm a gonna swim when it comes by
Twenty-five miles in Mississippi twenty-five miles in Mississippi
Twenty-five miles in Mississippi tell him I'm gone gone gone tell him I'm gone
Take this hammer take it to the captain take this hammer take it to the captain
Take this hammer take it to the captain tell him I'm gone tell him I'm gone
Unofficial album • Released in 1992
Demo
Session Recording: Mar 28, 1974 • Studio The Record Plant West, Los Angeles, USA
A/B Road Complete Get Back Sessions - Jan 14th, 1969 - 3 & 4
Unofficial album • Released in 2004
3:32 • Rehearsal • Jan.14 - D3-08 - Take This Hammer 14.38
Session Recording: Jan 14, 1969 • Studio Twickenham Film Studios, London, UK
A/B Road Complete Get Back Sessions - Jan 25th, 1969 - 3 & 4
Unofficial album • Released in 2004
0:36 • Rehearsal • Jan.25 - D4-22 - Take This Hammer 25.54
Session Recording: Jan 25, 1969 • Studio Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London
A/B Road Complete Get Back Sessions - Jan 31th, 1969 - 1 & 2
Unofficial album • Released in 2004
9:03 • Rehearsal • Medley with "Lost John","Five Feet High and Rising","Bear Cat Mama","Black Dog","Right String, Wrong Yo-Yo","Run For Your Life"
Performed by : Paul McCartney • Ringo Starr • John Lennon • George Harrison
Session Recording: Jan 31, 1969 • Studio Apple Studios, 3 Savile Row, London
Let 'Em Out Vol. 3 - Outtakes & Upgrades
Unofficial album • Released in 2010
Alternate take • Part of 2nd "Choba B CCCP" medley used for promotional purposes.
Paul McCartney has never played this song in concert.
Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.