Question

TONS OF POINTS!!! Choose one of the American folk songs below to research the story behind the song.

Answer 1

Answer:

“If I Had a Hammer” was written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in 1949 as an anthem for many progressive concerns of the day and most specifically the Labor Movement. The song features images of blue-collar workers (hammers and bells to suggest factories, etc.) as a rallying call for justice and equality.

Explanation:

It was a bit of anthemic support for the emerging progressive movement. The lyrics allude to the labor movement, taking symbols from the workplace and turning them into calls for action toward equality.The first two verses talk about re-purposing a hammer and a work bell. The third verse talks about "having a song," which is likely a reference to the history of labor union songs, as well as a symbol of people collectively using their voices to speak out on their own behalf.