--- Field Holler (free, broken, no rhythm) Ooooooh Lord… Sun ain’t waitin’ on me… Back already gone… Mm… --- Work Chorus (Call & Response) Lead: Take this hammer— Group: Mm… take it slow… Lead: Hoe, Emma, hoe— Group: Day ain’t done yet… Lead: Swing it steady— Group: Don’t let ‘em see you weak… --- Verse 1 (first person, sung-spoken) I wake when the horn cry loud Ain’t dreamin’, ain’t proud Feet hit dirt ‘fore my eyes get right Ain’t mine — this day or night Hands crack open, bleed then dry Can’t stop movin’, can’t ask why They say my name like I ain’t here Call me “boy” though I got years --- Field Holler (short, sharp) Heeey— Hammer heavy today… Heeey… --- Verse 2 (truth of labor) Sun climb high, don’t show no mercy Back stay bent, legs get jerky They count rows, not breath, not pain If I fall short, I feel that cane I sing to keep my body straight If I miss time, I miss my plate This song ain’t joy, ain’t praise, ain’t play It keep me livin’ ‘til end of day --- Chorus (return, more tired) Take this hammer— Mm… don’t rush me… Hoe, Emma, hoe— Ground don’t love me… Swing it clean— Eyes stay low… Don’t let ‘em know What my heart know… --- Verse 3 (family truth) My woman two fields down the line I ain’t seen her face since mornin’ time Child got sold when the winter came Still hear him cry when they call my name I don’t speak it, I don’t break Grief too loud, silence safer If I cry, it stay inside Tears cost more than blood sometimes --- Field Holler (long, aching) Ooooooh… If I lay this hammer down… Who gon’ bury me proper… Mm… --- Verse 4 (out-of-pocket truth) They preach ‘bout heaven, say “wait your turn” But all I know is ache and burn They say God made me for this place If that true, why He hide His face? I don’t curse loud, I don’t rebel I sing my truth where they can’t tell This song my mouth when I can’t speak My breath when I too tired to breathe --- Final Chorus (slow, almost falling apart) Take this hammer— Mm… one more swing… Hoe, Emma, hoe— Night come bringin’ rest… maybe… Swing it once— Then once again… I sing so I don’t fall I sing so I don’t end… --- Final Field Holler (fade, barely voice) Mmm… Still standin’… Lord… Still standin’… ---

Hammer hoen