Take this hammer, carry it to the captain, (3x)
Tell him I'm gone, tell him I'm gone.
If he ask you was I runnin' (3x)
Tell him I'm flyin'.
If he ask you was I laughin',
Tell him I was cryin'.
I don't want no cold iron shackles,
Around my leg.
I don't want no cornbread and molasses,
They hurt my pride.
I'm go'n' make these few days I started,
Then I'm goin' home.
Traditional, USA