1. This nine pound hammer is a little too heavy, buddy,
For my size, buddy, for my size.
So roll on, buddy, don't you roll so slow,
How I'm gonna roll, when the wheels won't go.
It's roll on, buddy, pull a load of coal,
How I'm gonna pull, when the wheels won't roll.
2. Ain't nobody's hammer in this mountain
That rings like mine, that rings like mine.
3. Well, I went up on the mountain, for to see my baby,
an' I ain't comin' back, Lord, I ain't comin' back.
4. It's a long way to Harlan, it's a long way to Hazard,
just to get a little booze, just to get a little booze.
5. Well, when I die, you can make my tombstone
out of number nine coal, out of number nine coal.
6. This nine pound hammer rings like silver,
this nine pund hammer shines like gold.
7. Well, this nine pound hammer killed John Henry,
but it won't kill me, no, it won't kill me.
