I'm gonna go on the mountain
For see my baby
I ain't comin' back
Lord I won't be back
It's a Long way to Harlem
Long way to hazard
Just get a little brew
Lord lord just get a little brew

Roll on buddy
With a load coal
How can I pull
When wheels won't roll

The 9 pound hammer
It's a just a little too heavy
Buddy for my size
Buddy for my size
That 9 pound hammer
Killed poor ol' John Henry
Lord it won't kill me no no
It ain't gonna kill me

Roll on buddy
With a load coal
How can I pull
When wheels won't roll

This 9 pound hammer
She rings like silver
Yeah it rings like silver
She shines like gold

Roll on buddy
With a load coal
How can I pull
When wheels won't roll

You can take my hammer
And give it to the captain
But you can tell him I'm gone
You can tell I'm gone

And if he ask you
Where I done gone to
Tell him you don't know
No, buddy, you don't know

Roll on buddy
And make your time
I done broke down
And he can't make mine