| G    | Em    | D  C  | G    |


[Verse 1]
                G
This nine pound hammer
               Em
Just a bit too heavy
       D   C
For my size
    G
For my size
          G
Take this hammer
               Em
Show it to the captain
             D   C
Tell him I'm gone
             G
Tell him I'm   gone
             G
If he should ask you
        Em
Where I went to
                   D   C
Tell him you don't know
             G
Tell him you don't know


[Instrumental]
| G    | G    | Em    | D    | D7  C  | G    |


[Verse 2]
                G
This nine pound hammer
            Em
Killed John Henry
            D   C
It laid him low
        G
It laid him low
                G
This nine pound hammer
          Em
Killed my brother
                  D   C
But it won't kill me
             G
No, it won't kill me


[Instrumental]
| G    | G    | Em    | D    | D7  C  | G    |


[Verse 3]
        G
Roll on buddy
                   Em
Don't you roll too slow
        D     C
How can I roll
                      G
When the wheels won't go?
        G
Roll on brother
              Em
But take your time
              D   C
For I'm broke down
            G
And I can't make mine


[Instrumental]
| G    | G    | Em    | D    | D7  C  | G    |


[Outro]
                G
This nine pound hammer
               Em
Just a bit too heavy
       D   C
For my size
    G
For my size