Jam Essential
beginner
Nine Pound Hammer
Jam Vocal Tunes
Jam Along
Chord Chart
A x2
A
A
D
D
A
E
A
A
Chords used:
A
D
E
Lyrics
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 long gone, won't you make my tombstone
Out of number nine coal, out of number nine coal
Demo Videos
About This Song
Nine Pound Hammer is a traditional work song popularized by Merle Travis in the 1940s and later by bluegrass artists including Bill Monroe. The song's driving rhythm and call-and-response structure made it a natural fit for bluegrass, where it became a jam session staple.
Practice Nine Pound Hammer with the Grass App
Adjustable backing tracks, chord diagrams, demo videos, and 300+ bluegrass songs.