Nine Pound Hammer

Traditional

Written by Merle Travis

Key of G · Chords: I IV V

Verse 1

G                                           C
Well the nine pound hammer, is a little too heavy
G           D                  G
It’s for my size, honey for my size

Verse 2

G                                     C
Well roll on buddy, don’t you roll so slow
G         D                           G
How can I roll, when the wheels won’t go

Verse 3

G                                            C
It's a long way to Harlan, and a long way to Hazard
G                    D                          G
Just to get a little brew, just to get a little brew

Verse 4

G                                        C
Well it ain’t one hammer, that’s in this town
G                 D                       G
That’ll ring like mine, that’ll ring like mine

Verse 5

G                                       C
I'm goin' on a mountain, yeah to see my baby
G                  D                       G
And I ain't comin' back, no I ain't comin' back

Verse 6

G                                      C
Now when Im long gone, you can make my tombstone
G                  D                        G
Out of number nine coal, outta’ number nine coal

Verse 7

G                                       C
That nine pound hammer that killed John Henry
G                D                     G
Ain’t gonna kill me, naw it won’t kill me