Nine Pound Hammer
The Weight of Struggle: Nine Pound Hammer's Symbolism
Lyrics
This nine pound hammer is a little too heavy
This nine pound hammer is too heavy for my size.
For my size, honey, for my size
Expressing that the speaker feels the weight of the hammer is unsuitable for their physical stature.
Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
Roll on buddy, don't roll so slow.
Baby, how can I roll when the wheels won't go
Highlighting a difficulty in progress, as the wheels won't turn smoothly.
Up on the mountain just to see my honey
Heading up the mountain to see the speaker's loved one, with a determination not to return.
And I ain't coming back, lord, I ain't coming back
Expressing a commitment to stay with the loved one and not come back.
It's a long way to Hazard a long way to Harian
Referring to a long journey to Hazard and Harian, presumably for acquiring alcohol.
Just to get a little booze, just get a little booz
Emphasizing the effort to obtain a small amount of alcohol.
Ain't one hammer in this tonnel
Asserting that no hammer in the tunnel is like the speaker's.
That rings like mine that rings like mine
Reiterating the uniqueness of the speaker's hammer sound.
It rings like silver and shines like gold
Comparing the sound of the hammer to silver, highlighting its brightness and value.
It rings like silver and shines like gold
Repeating the comparison of the hammer's sound to silver and gold.
Somebody stole my nine pound hammer
Claiming that someone stole the nine pound hammer, emphasizing its absence.
They've took it and gone, they've took it and gone
Indicating that the stolen hammer is gone.
That nine pound hammer that killed John Henry
Connecting the nine pound hammer to the legendary figure John Henry, asserting it won't be the speaker's demise.
Ain't a gonna kill me, ain't a gonna kill me
Affirming that the nine pound hammer won't kill the speaker, contrasting with the fate of John Henry.
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