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