This nine pound hammer, it's a little too heavy
For my size, baby, for my size
I'm goin' on the mountain, gonna see my baby
But I ain't comin' back, well, I ain't comin' back

Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
Tell me, how can I roll, when the wheels won't go?
Roll on buddy, pull a load of coal
Now, how can I pull, when wheels won'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?

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
Well, when I'm long gone you can make my tombstone
Outta number nine coal, outta number nine coal

Hey, roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
How can I roll, when the wheels won't go?
Roll on buddy, pull your load of coal
Tell me, how can I pull, when wheels won't roll?