G
This nine-pound hammer
                       C
Is just a little too heavy
       G 
for my size  
D       G
 for my size

[Verse 2]
G
I went upon the mountain
               C
Just to see my baby,
                   G
And I ain't coming back
D                      G
  Lord, I ain't coming back

[Chorus]
G
Roll on, Buddy
                  C
don't you roll so slow,
           G
How can I roll
D                      G
 when the wheels won't go?

G
Now roll on Buddy
                  C
Pull your load of coal
              G
Now how can I pull
D                      G
 When the wheels won't roll

[Solo](one 2 verses)

[Verse 3]
G
Now a nine-pound hammer
            C
Killed John Henry
                 G
But it won't get me
D
 Ain't a gonna get me

[Verse 4]
G
Now I'm just a poor boy
                 C
A long ways from home
              G
Down in Tennessee
D
 Down in Tennessee

[Chorus]
G
Roll on, Buddy
                  C
don't you roll so slow,
           G
How can I roll
D                      G
 when the wheels won't go?

G
Now roll on Buddy
                  C
Pull your load of coal
              G
Now how can I pull
D                      G
 When the wheels won't roll

[Solo](one 2 verses)

[Verse 5]
G
It's a long way to Harlan
                   C
It's a long way to Hazard
                     G
Just to get a little brew,
D
 just to get a little brew

[Verse 6]
G
When I'm long gone
                  C
Just make my tomb stone
                 G
Outa number nine coal
D
 Outa number nine coal

[Chorus]
G
Roll on, Buddy
                  C
don't you roll so slow,
           G
How can I roll
D                      G
 when the wheels won't go?

G
Now roll on Buddy
                  C
Pull your load of coal
              G
Now how can I pull
D                      G
 When the wheels won't roll

[Solo](one 1 verses)

[Chorus]
G
Roll on, Buddy
                  C
don't you roll so slow,
           G
How can I roll
D                      G
 when the wheels won't go?

G
Now roll on Buddy
                  C
Pull your load of coal
              G
Now how can I pull
D                      G
 When the wheels won't roll