About the song
“Hard Hat and a Hammer” is a heartfelt tribute to the hardworking men and women who keep the wheels of industry turning. Written and recorded by country music legend Alan Jackson, this song is a celebration of the blue-collar workers who toil behind the scenes, often unsung and unheralded. Released in May 2010 as the second single from his album Freight Train, “Hard Hat and a Hammer” is a testament to the enduring spirit of American labor.
The song’s lyrics are a paean to the working class, with Jackson paying homage to the men and women who work with their hands, from miners to railroad workers, from shipbuilders to paper mill operators. The song’s production is equally impressive, featuring a delightful fiddle and rhythmic hammer sounds that evoke the sounds of the industrial landscape. The song’s message is one of respect and admiration for the hardworking men and women who keep America running.
The music video for “Hard Hat and a Hammer” is a visual feast, featuring miners, shipbuilders, and railroad workers from across the country, all united in their dedication to their work. Directed by Theresa Wingert, the video is a powerful tribute to the working class, showcasing the diversity and resilience of America’s labor force. With its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics, “Hard Hat and a Hammer” is a song that will resonate with anyone who has ever worked hard to get the job done.
Video
Lyrics
Lace-up boots and faded jeans
A homemade sandwich, a half jug of tea
Average Joe, average pay
Same old end and same old day
But there’s nothing wrong with a hard hat and a hammer
Kind of glue that sticks this world together
Hands of steel and cradle of the Promised Land
God bless the working man
All week long making a living
Life keeps takin’, he keeps giving
Behind the scene, below the grade
Hardly noticed but part of everything
But there’s nothing wrong with a hard hat and a hammer
Kind of glue that sticks this world together
Hands of steel and cradle of the Promised Land
God bless the working man
He gives his life then fades away
Another young man takes his place
Average Joe, average pay
Same old end, same old day
But there’s nothing wrong with a hard hat and a hammer
Kind of glue that sticks this world together
Hands of steel and cradle of the Promised Land
No, there’s nothing wrong with a hard hat and a hammer
Kind of glue that sticks this world together
Hands of steel and cradle of the Promised Land
God bless the working man
The working man
Oh, the working man
And woman