(Lennon/McCartney)



Joan was quizzical, studied pataphysical

Science in the home


Late nights all alone with a test-tube ohh oh oh oh


Maxwell Edison majoring in medicinem

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 50 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



P.C. Thirty-One said "We caught a dirty one"

Maxwell stands alone


Painting testimonial pictures ohh 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 head

Do do do do do


Bang, Bang, Maxwell's silver hammer

Made sure that he was dead

Wow wow wow oh!


Do do do do do


Silver hammer Max