Spoken Introduction: Take This Hammer Odetta

Take this hammer, carry it to the captain
Take this hammer, carry it to the captain
Take this hammer, carry 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'm flyin'
Tell him I'm flyin'

I don't want no cold iron shackles
I don't want no cold iron shackles
I don't want no cold iron shackles
Hurts my legs, Lord
Hurts my legs

If he asks you was I laughin'
If he asks you was I laughin'
If he asks you was I laughin'
Tell him I was cryin'
Tell him I was cryin'

I don't want no cornbread and molasses
I don't want no cornbread and molasses
I don't want no cornbread and molasses
It hurts my pride, Lord
Hurts my pride