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