The Weavers released the song under the title "The Hammer Song" as a 78 single in March 1950 on Hootenanny Records, 101-A, backed with "Banks of Marble".
Early versions
The song was first performed publicly by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays on June 3, 1949, at St. Nicholas Arena in New York at a testimonial dinner for the leaders of the Communist Party of the United States, who were then on trial in federal court, charged with violating the Smith Act by advocating the overthrow of the U.S. government. It was not particularly successful in commercial terms when it was first released. It was part of the three songs Seeger played as the warm-up act for Paul Robeson's September 4 concert near Peekskill, New York, which subsequently erupted into a riot.
The lonely blacksmith, Atalanta, forges a lifelike statue of Hercules out of scrap metal. Hephaestus brings the statue to life, but the new "Hercules" is childlike and nothing like the original. Discord encourages "Hercules" to commit murder, framing the real Hercules for the crime. Hercules and his double fight it out and "Hercules" helps saves Atalanta's life.
Plot synopsis
Salmoneus is helping the King Armand with his museum and wants Hercules to be one of the artists' subjects. Salmoneus tells Hercules that he should pose nude because, "The purest form of artistic expression is the nude human figure". Hercules refuses, but Salmoneus convinces him to do it because it will help orphaned children. As Hercules agrees, Atalanta greets him and Salmoneus, she introduces them to her boyfriend, Curteus. Salmoneus says he hardly recognizes her all covered up. She explains that she has changed. "I've spent my whole life being competitive in a man's world... and what do I have to show for it?" She has no social life and the men just think of her as "One of the guys". Meanwhile, a group of bullies is picking on Curteus. Hercules goes and sees what is going on, as Curteus is thrown in a trough of water. As more bullies come out, they begin to fight Hercules and Atalanta stands by watching, not wanting to get involved. After a short time, Atalanta takes on one of the women in the gang and her dress is torn off, revealing her normal costume underneath. With her help, Hercules beats off the rest of the gang.
If I Had a Hammer was written, produced and directed by Josh Becker. The film was co-produced by Jane Goe, a seasoned veteran of the film industry, who also co-produced Becker’s feature film Running Time. Goe has worked on several of Steven Spielberg’s films including: Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and E.T. Native Detroiter Kurt Rauf was the DP for If I Had a Hammer; the film was scored by Joseph LoDuca, with sound editing and mixing at Harvest Sound.
This movie captures the epic change that occurred in America in the 1960s. The stage was set the weekend the Beatles made their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. This masterfully written script provides an excellent commentary on American life at the very edge of transformation.
If I Had a Hammer has a young and talented cast. The mai...
published: 10 May 2018
IF I HAD A HAMMER
Misery vs. Peter, Paul and Mary
published: 31 Jan 2015
Ross McManus with The Joe Loss Orchestra - If I Had A Hammer [Colour Promo 1963]
Declan McManus' (Elvis Costello) father does a rocking calypso rendition of the folk classic.
published: 23 Aug 2022
Johnny B Great - If I Had A Hammer 1964
From the 1964 British Beat Film "Just For You"
published: 08 Feb 2009
Debbie Reynolds - If I Had A Hammer
You can't sing a protest song without a fabulous gown, a glamorous wig, and matching heels.
published: 10 Sep 2006
TRINI LOPEZ - IF I HAD HAMMER (STEREO)
EXCELENTE TEMA DE ESTE GRAN CANTANTE DE LOS AÑOS 60s, EN SU ÉPOCA Y SU MOMENTO.
published: 08 Jun 2014
If I Were a Hammer (from the film Sleeping Dogs Lie)
Clips from the Independent Thriller “Sleeping Dogs Lie,” distributed internationally late 2018.
Original Score written and performed by Tyler Traband.
published: 19 Dec 2018
If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)
Provided to YouTube by Rhino/Warner Records
If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song) · Arlo Guthrie / Pete Seeger
Precious Friend
℗ 2000 v2 Conversion P Credit
Vocals: Pete Seeger
Writer: Lee Hays
Writer: Pete Seeger
Auto-generated by YouTube.
If I Had a Hammer was written, produced and directed by Josh Becker. The film was co-produced by Jane Goe, a seasoned veteran of the film industry, who also co-...
If I Had a Hammer was written, produced and directed by Josh Becker. The film was co-produced by Jane Goe, a seasoned veteran of the film industry, who also co-produced Becker’s feature film Running Time. Goe has worked on several of Steven Spielberg’s films including: Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and E.T. Native Detroiter Kurt Rauf was the DP for If I Had a Hammer; the film was scored by Joseph LoDuca, with sound editing and mixing at Harvest Sound.
This movie captures the epic change that occurred in America in the 1960s. The stage was set the weekend the Beatles made their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. This masterfully written script provides an excellent commentary on American life at the very edge of transformation.
If I Had a Hammer has a young and talented cast. The main characters are portrayed by Lisa Records and Brett Beardslee, who give a delightful and honest performance which contributes to the overwhelming charm of this cinematic gem. The film has been compared to Orson Welle's "The Magnificent Ambersons" and also to the legendary George Lucas's "American Graffiti".
If I Had a Hammer was written, produced and directed by Josh Becker. The film was co-produced by Jane Goe, a seasoned veteran of the film industry, who also co-produced Becker’s feature film Running Time. Goe has worked on several of Steven Spielberg’s films including: Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and E.T. Native Detroiter Kurt Rauf was the DP for If I Had a Hammer; the film was scored by Joseph LoDuca, with sound editing and mixing at Harvest Sound.
This movie captures the epic change that occurred in America in the 1960s. The stage was set the weekend the Beatles made their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. This masterfully written script provides an excellent commentary on American life at the very edge of transformation.
If I Had a Hammer has a young and talented cast. The main characters are portrayed by Lisa Records and Brett Beardslee, who give a delightful and honest performance which contributes to the overwhelming charm of this cinematic gem. The film has been compared to Orson Welle's "The Magnificent Ambersons" and also to the legendary George Lucas's "American Graffiti".
Provided to YouTube by Rhino/Warner Records
If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song) · Arlo Guthrie / Pete Seeger
Precious Friend
℗ 2000 v2 Conversion P Credit
V...
Provided to YouTube by Rhino/Warner Records
If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song) · Arlo Guthrie / Pete Seeger
Precious Friend
℗ 2000 v2 Conversion P Credit
Vocals: Pete Seeger
Writer: Lee Hays
Writer: Pete Seeger
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Rhino/Warner Records
If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song) · Arlo Guthrie / Pete Seeger
Precious Friend
℗ 2000 v2 Conversion P Credit
Vocals: Pete Seeger
Writer: Lee Hays
Writer: Pete Seeger
Auto-generated by YouTube.
If I Had a Hammer was written, produced and directed by Josh Becker. The film was co-produced by Jane Goe, a seasoned veteran of the film industry, who also co-produced Becker’s feature film Running Time. Goe has worked on several of Steven Spielberg’s films including: Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and E.T. Native Detroiter Kurt Rauf was the DP for If I Had a Hammer; the film was scored by Joseph LoDuca, with sound editing and mixing at Harvest Sound.
This movie captures the epic change that occurred in America in the 1960s. The stage was set the weekend the Beatles made their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. This masterfully written script provides an excellent commentary on American life at the very edge of transformation.
If I Had a Hammer has a young and talented cast. The main characters are portrayed by Lisa Records and Brett Beardslee, who give a delightful and honest performance which contributes to the overwhelming charm of this cinematic gem. The film has been compared to Orson Welle's "The Magnificent Ambersons" and also to the legendary George Lucas's "American Graffiti".
Provided to YouTube by Rhino/Warner Records
If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song) · Arlo Guthrie / Pete Seeger
Precious Friend
℗ 2000 v2 Conversion P Credit
Vocals: Pete Seeger
Writer: Lee Hays
Writer: Pete Seeger
Auto-generated by YouTube.