(Merle Travis)

Well, that nine pound hammer is a little too heavy
For my size, honey, for my size
Roll on buddy, pull a load o'coal
Now, how you gonna roll, roll, roll, when the wheels won't roll.

Well, it's a long way to Harlem, it's a long way to Hazzard
Just to get a little brew my friend, get a little brew
And that nine pound hammer it done killed John Henry
It ain't a gonna kill me, no siree, it ain't gonna kill me
Roll on buddy, pull a load o'coal
Now, how you gonna roll, roll, roll, when the wheels won't roll.

I'm goin' on that mountain, I'm gonna see my baby
And I ain't comin' back, no siree, I ain't comin' back
And when I'm long gone, well, you can make my tombstone
Out of number nine coal, my friend, number nine coal
Roll on buddy, pull a load o'coal
Now how you gonna roll, roll, roll, when the wheels won't go.

Yeah, roll on buddy, pull a load o'coal
Now how you gonna roll, roll, roll, when them wheels won't go.
When them wheels won't go, roll on buddy...