"Maxwell's Silver Hammer" Lyrics

by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

As Released by the Beatles (1969)

Joan was quizzical, studied 'pataphysical science in the home
Late nights all alone with a test-tube, oh oh - oh oh.

Maxwell Edison, majoring in medicine, calls her on the phone
Can I take you out to the pictures, Joan?

But as she's getting ready to go, a knock comes on the door
Bang, bang Maxwell's silver hammer came down upon her head
Bang, bang Maxwell's silver hammer made sure that she was dead.

Back in school again, Maxwell plays the fool again, teacher gets annoyed
Wishing to avoid an unpleasant scene
She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away
So he waits behind, writing fifty times I must not be so oh - oh oh.

But when she turns her back on the boy, he creeps up from behind
Bang, bang Maxwell's silver hammer came down upon her head
(Do do do do do)
Bang, bang Maxwell's silver hammer made sure that she was dead.
(Do do do do do)

PC Thirty-One said, we caught a dirty one, Maxwell stands alone
Painting testimonial pictures oh oh - oh oh.

Rose and Valerie screaming from the gallery say he must go free
(Maxwell must go free)
The judge does not agree and he tells them so oh - oh oh.

But as the words are leaving his lips, a noise comes from behind
Bang, bang Maxwell's silver hammer came down upon his dead
(Do do do do do)
Bang, bang Maxwell's silver hammer made sure that he was dead.
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
(Do do do do do)

Silver hammer man!