Big Spike Hammer
intermediate
Big Spike Hammer
Doc Watson
The Grass app includes adjustable backing tracks with bass, guitar, and mandolin — a built-in chromatic tuner — a metronome with count-in — chord charts in any key — lyrics with chorus highlighting — demo videos — jam-along practice recordings — shareable setlists — and a finder for 700+ bluegrass jam circles near you. Free on iOS and Android.
Jam Along
Chord Chart
Verse
GG
GG
EmEm
EmEm
CC
CC
EmEm
EmEm
GG
GG
GG
EmEm
CC
CC
EmEm
EmEm
DD
DD
Refrain x2
GG
GG
GG
GG
GG
GG
GG
GG
Chords used:
C
D
Em
G
Lyrics
Can't you hear the whistle of my big spike hammer
Lord it's busting my side
I've done all I can do to keep that woman happy
Still she's not satisfied
Hey hey Della Mae
Why do you treat me this way
Hey hey Della Mae
I'll get even some day
I'm the best hammer swinger on this big section gang
Big Bill Johnson is my name
Lord this hammer that I swing for a dollar and a half a day
I'll all for my Della Mae
Now I've been lots of places, not much I ain't done
There's still alot of things I'd like to see
Lord this hammer that I swing or the woman that I love
Yes, one's gonna be the death of meDemo Videos
About This Song
Big Spike Hammer is a powerful work song made famous by the legendary flatpicker Doc Watson. Typically played in G, this song uses 4 chords (G, C, D, and Em) in a straightforward progression that makes it accessible for intermediate players while still offering plenty of room for vocal expression and instrumental breaks. The minor Em chord adds a touch of darkness that fits the song's tale of hard labor, making it a great choice for developing your ear for how minor chords color a progression.