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 log gone, won't you make my tombstone
Out of number nine coal, out of number nine coal