This nine pound hammer is a little too heavy
For my size, Buddy for my size
Roll on buddy, don’t you roll so slow
How can I roll, when the wheels won’t roll
I’m going to the mountain, just to see my baby
And I ain’t coming back, no I ain’t coming back
There ain’t one hammer, down in this tunnel
That can ring like mine, that can ring like mine
Rings like silver, shines like gold
Rings like silver, shines like gold
This old hammer, it killed John Henry
Ain’t gonna kill me, ain’t gonna kill me
It’s a long way to Harlan, and a long way to Hazard
Just to get a little booze, just to get a little booze
Buddy when I’m long gone, won’t you make my tombstone
Out of number nine coal, out of number nine coal