This nine pound hammer
Is a little too heavy
For my size
Buddy, for my size
I’m going on the mountain
Just to see my baby
And I ain’t coming back
No, I ain’t coming back
Roll on buddy
Don’t you roll so slow
How can I roll
When the wheels won’t go
Roll on buddy
Pull a load of coal
How can I pull
When the wheels don’t roll
There ain’t one hammer
Down in this tunnel
That can ring like mine
That can ring like mine
This old hammer
It killed John Henry
Ain’t gonna kill me
Ain’t gonna kill me
Rings like silver
Shines like gold
Rings like silver
Shines like gold
Roll on buddy
Don’t you roll so slow
How can I roll
When the wheels won’t go
Roll on buddy
Pull a load of coal
How can I pull
When the wheels don’t roll
It’s a long way to Harlan
It’s a long way to Hazard
Just to get a little brew
Just to get a little brew
And when I’m long gone
You can make my tombstone
Out of number nine coal
Out of number nine coal
Roll on buddy
Don’t you roll so slow
How can I roll
When the wheels won’t go
Roll on buddy
Pull a load of coal
How can I pull
When the wheels won’t roll