This nine pound hammer is a little too heavy 
For my size, honey, for my size 

Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow 
Baby, how can I roll when the wheels won't go 

Up on the mountain just to see my honey 
And I ain't coming back, lord, I ain't coming back 

* Refrain 

It's a long way to Hazard a long way to Harian 
Just to get a little booze, just get a little booz 

* Refrain 

Ain't one hammer in this tonnel 
That rings like mine that rings like mine 

* Refrain 

It rings like silver and shines like gold 
It rings like silver and shines like gold 

* Refrain 

Somebody stole my nine pound hammer 
They've took it and gone, they've took it and gone 

* Refrain 

That nine pound hammer that killed John Henry 
Ain't a gonna kill me, ain't a gonna kill me 

* Refrain