John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
John Prine
Merle Travis, who popularized this song in the 1950s, said of it:
“I first heard a version of this song in about 1939 from Texas Ruby. It was on a bus going back to Cincinnati where we were both working at the Boone County Jamboree. I wrote the verse about Harlan and Hazard, which are coal towns in...
[Verse 1]
This nine pound hammer is a little too heavy
Buddy, for my size, size, size, buddy ,for my size
So I'm going on the mountain just to see my baby
And I ain't coming back, no, I ain't coming back
[Chorus]
So roll on, buddy, don't you roll so slow
Well, tell me how can I roll, roll, roll, when the wheels won't go?
Hey, roll on, buddy, pull your load of coal
And tell me how can I pull when the wheels won't go?
[Acoustic Guitar Solo]
[Verse 2]
It's a long way to Harlan, it's a long way to Hazard
Just to get a little brew, brew, brew, just to get a little brew
And when I die you can make my tombstone
Out of number nine coal, out of number nine coal
[Chorus]
So roll on, buddy, don't you roll so slow
Well, tell me how can I roll, roll, roll, when the wheels won't roll?
Hey, roll on, buddy, pull your load of coal
And tell me how can I pull when the wheels won't go?
[Piano Solo]
[Chorus]
Hey, roll on, buddy, don't you roll so slow
Well, tell me how can I roll, roll, roll, when the wheels won't go?
Hey, roll on, buddy, pull your load of coal
Just tell me how can I pull when the wheels won't go?
Yeah, tell me how can I roll, roll, roll when the wheels won't roll?
Well, tell me how can I roll, roll, roll when the wheels won't go?
Nine Pound Hammer was written by Merle Travis.
Nine Pound Hammer was produced by Arif Mardin.
John Prine released Nine Pound Hammer on Mon Oct 01 1973.