If I Had a Hammer by Peter, Paul and Mary
Key: A · 99 BPM · 4/4
If I Had a Hammer by Peter, Paul and Mary is written in A major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-I-V progression — plagal + authentic mix, played as a V-I-IV-I rotation: E-A-D-A. At 99 BPM, it moves at a relaxed, mid-tempo pace.
The progression
This song follows the I-IV-I-V progression (Plagal + authentic mix), played as a V-I-IV-I rotation in A major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.
Play it in other keys
| Capo | Shape key | Chords to play |
|---|---|---|
| No capo | A | E-A-D |
| Capo 2 | G | D-G-C |
| Capo 5 | E | B-E-A |
| Capo 7 | D | A-D-G |
Chord chart
- 0:00 A
- 0:01 D
- 0:01 E
- 0:02 A
- 0:03 D
- 0:04 A
- 0:11 E
- 0:12 A
- 0:13 D
- 0:14 E
- 0:16 A
- 0:19 F#m
- 0:21 D
- 0:22 A
- 0:23 D
- 0:23 A
- 0:24 D
- 0:24 A
- 0:25 E
- 0:26 A
- 0:30 E
- 0:31 A
- 0:32 C#m
- 0:32 D
- 0:33 E
- 0:33 A
- 0:35 D
- 0:36 A
- 0:37 D
- 0:38 E
- 0:41 A
- 0:43 F#m
- 0:45 D
- 0:47 A
- 0:48 D
- 0:49 A
- 0:49 E
- 0:50 A
- 0:52 E
- 0:53 A
- 0:56 D
- 0:57 E
- 0:58 A
- 0:59 E
- 1:00 A
- 1:01 D
- 1:02 E
- 1:05 A
- 1:07 F#m
- 1:09 D
- 1:10 A
- 1:12 D
- 1:13 A
- 1:13 E
- 1:14 A
- 1:18 E
- 1:19 A
- 1:20 D
- 1:21 A
- 1:23 D
- 1:23 E
- 1:24 A
- 1:25 D
- 1:26 E
- 1:29 A
- 1:31 F#m
- 1:33 D
- 1:34 A
- 1:35 D
- 1:37 E
- 1:38 A
- 1:43 F#m
- 1:45 D
- 1:46 A
- 1:46 D
- 1:47 A
- 1:49 E
- 1:50 F#m
- 1:51 E
- 1:52 A
Frequently asked questions
What key is If I Had a Hammer in?
If I Had a Hammer is in A major.
What chords does If I Had a Hammer use?
The core of If I Had a Hammer cycles through E, A, D (3 chords).
What is the tempo of If I Had a Hammer?
If I Had a Hammer runs at 99 BPM in 4/4 time.
What chord progression does If I Had a Hammer use?
If I Had a Hammer follows the I-IV-I-V progression, played as a V-I-IV-I rotation. It's a plagal + authentic mix.
What capo should I use for If I Had a Hammer?
No capo needed — A major already sits in standard open-chord shapes.