Not the Same Old Song - Part 34

If I Had a Hammer

The folk song classic If I Had a Hammer was written by Pete Seeger.  It was first performed in 1949 at a testimonial dinner for leaders of the Communist Party of the United States.

Those were the days of the House Un-American Activities Committee, a Congressional committee devoted to seeking out and destroying domestic Communism.  Seeger was called to testify before the committee.

When asked if he had entertained at Communist functions, Seeger said "I have sung for Americans of every political persuasion, and I am proud that I never refuse to sing to an audience, no matter what religion or color of their skin, or situation in life. I have sung in hobo jungles, and I have sung for the Rockefellers, and I am proud that I have never refused to sing for anybody."

Because he refused to answer their questions directly, the committee sentenced Seeger to a year in prison for contempt.  The verdict was reversed on appeal and he never served the time, but Seeger was blacklisted by ABC, NBC, CBS and radio stations.

Also, the song was considered left-wing propaganda.  How could anyone object to the lyrics:

     It's the hammer of justice,
     It's the bell of freedom,

     It's the song about love between my brothers and my sisters

     All over this land.

Well, at the time, the hammer was considered a reference to workers, and possibly a coded reference to the Communist Party symbol of the hammer and sickle.

Years later, in 1962, folk singers Peter, Paul and Mary released the song on their debut album, and it became a top 10 hit and a freedom song of the civil rights movement.

I have coupled Peter, Paul and Mary's rendition with some photos and videos of hammers, bells and songs that may not be exactly what they or Pete Seeger had in mind.  Note: I have added hammer sounds and bell sounds to the soundtrack.  Those sound effects were not in the Peter, Paul and Mary song.