I was framin' houses in Houston one August afternoon

When the foreman's wife pulled up in her Lincoln and she said I been looking for you

The old man went home early do you wanna take a ride to town

I said I guess it couldn't do no harm and I threw my hammer down

We were shootin' straight tequila when the foreman came stormin' in

He said honey now didn't I warn you what I'd do if I caught you again

She pulled out her little pistol she fired and he hit the ground

She grabbed my arm we jumped into that Lincoln and I put that hammer down

Hammer down hammer down don't look back it's too late now

Ain't nothin' you can do about it anyhow

Just put that hammer put that hammer down



Well I heard the sirens moanin' just east of New Orleans

She cried out to the trooper thank God you rescued me

When they dragged me into the courtroom I knew where I was bound

That old judge threw the book at me then he threw his hammer down

Hammer down hammer down don't look back it's too late now

Ain't nothin' you can do about it anyhow

Just throw that hammer throw that hammer down

[ guitar ]

On a chain gang out of Houston one August afternoon

I see that same old Lincoln and at the wheel there's a brand new fool

Then the warden taps my shoulder says son quit your foolin' around

In ninety-nine years you can lay that hammer down

Oh hammer down hammer down don't look back it's too late now

Ain't nothin' you can do about it anyhow

Throw that hammer throw that hammer down

Just swing that hammer swing that hammer down swing that hammer down