Nine Pound Hammer
View chords used in this chart
C F C
Little to heavy for my size
G7 C
Honey for my size
F
Well roll on buddy with a load of coal
C G7 C
Well how you roll roll roll when the wheels won't go
F
Nine pound hammer done killed John Henry
C G7 C
It ain't gonna kill me no sir-ee it ain't gonna kill me
F
Roll on buddy pull a load of coal
C G7 C
How can you roll roll roll when the wheels won't go
Well I'm going on that mountain
F
I gonna see my baby
C
And I ain't coming back
G7 C
No sir-ee I ain't never coming back
And when I'm long gone
F
You can make my tombstone
C
Out of number nine coal boy boy
G7 C
A-number nine coal
F
Well roll on buddy with a load of coal
C G7 C
Well how you roll roll roll when the wheels won't go
How to play Nine Pound Hammer
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.