I hurt the gentlest souls, I robbed my wife and son
I turned my back on troubles, troubles I'd begun
I cut a swath of pain and loss in the hallways of my home
In the quiet of my room I know the things I've done

Save the hammer for the man, save the hammer for the man
It's the calling of the wretched
It's the rising of the damned
Save the hammer for the man

I was driven from the city, in the wilderness I stand
In the cleansing rain in silence, I made my battle plan
Alone I marched towards freedom, leaving footprints across the land
With the vow that's left unspoken, save the hammer for the man

Save the hammer for the man, save the hammer for the man
You're never too far down the wrong road
To turn back and change your plan
Save the hammer for the man

I leaned against the hot and bothered wind beneath a hateful rain
Politics, apocalypse start to look the same
For the pasts of my redemption will mean the end of many things
The ransom for my soul the blood of generals and kings

Save the hammer for the man, save the hammer for the man
I sinned and I have suffered
And it feels good in my hands
Save the hammer for the man

I was driven from the city, in the wilderness I stand
In the cleansing rain in silence, I made my battle plan
I will whisper words of freedom, I will swing hard as I can
Lord knows the time has come and save the hammer for the man

Save the hammer for the man, save the hammer for the man
If the fire's hot enough
Iron and steel will bend
Save the hammer for the man

Oh, save the hammer for the man
Gotta save the hammer for the man
I will whisper words of freedom, I'll swing hard as I can
Save the hammer for the man, for the man

I will whisper words of freedom
I'll swing hard as I can