A song about the steel city of Hamilton.
folk rock
protest songs
john lee hooker
roger john
Story behind the song
Once known as the ambitious city now known as The Hammer.
Lyrics
I was born in this city this citys my home
I was raised and grew up here its deep in my bones
She holds me and keeps me from worry or woe
Got the mark of the hammer deep in my soul
In them dark back rock alleys where the wild cats they roam
In them brick broken buildings where our love was half grown
I've known every hollow every den every crack
Where the ligth it gets in but never comes back
Come let out the mad men to the streets with their rants
WHere a purpose once given now lost to their dance
Come send out the scooters the deaf and the blind
For the crimes you committed and those left behind
Oh the arms outstetched
Oh another neck on the block
Oh their be blood on the crane
ooo when hte hammer comes down
On the streets where the steelmen with hard toe and hat
Answered the whistle with a rap tap tap tap
In them hot summer days when the steel city struck
ANd gave up its blood in the dust and the muck
But the mills and the bosses took all that she gave
Filled the air and the water
With a rust iron grave
Come let out the mad men to the streets with their rants
WHere a purpose once given now lost to their dance
They taken her heart and carved out her soul
And left her all empty and naked and old