---
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’…
---
SoviSilentHyena
