Tabbed by Jay Woodall

[]This is an old classic written by Charlie Bowman around 1927. It is
mostly thought of as a Blue Grass staple but it has been recorded
in country and blues style as well

This isn't the exact Nitty Gritty Dirt Band version but there 
recording is one of the best to get a feel for the blue grass
flavor of the song. The verses here are more like a Merle Travis
version. I hope you have as much fun playing it as my band does.


Intro - Two verses
 
Verse 1:

[G]
This nine-pound hammer
                       [C]
Is just a little too heavy
       [G] 
for my size  
[D]       [G]
 for my size

Verse 2:
[G]
I went upon the mountain
               [C]
Just to see my baby,
                   [G]
And I ain't coming back
[D]                      [G]
  Lord, I ain't coming back


Chorus:

[G]
Roll on, Buddy
                  [C]
don't you roll so slow,
           [G]
How can I roll
[D]                      [G]
 when the wheels won't go?

[G]
Now roll on Buddy
                  [C]
Pull your load of coal
              [G]
Now how can I pull
[D]                      [G]
 When the wheels won't roll


Solo (one 2 verses)


Verse 3

[G]
Now a nine-pound hammer
            [C]
Killed John Henry
                 [G]
But it won't get me
[D]
 Ain't a gonna get me


Verse 4

[G]
Now I'm just a poor boy
                 [C]
A long ways from home
              [G]
Down in Tennessee
[D]
 Down in Tennessee


Chorus:

[G]
Roll on, Buddy
                  [C]
don't you roll so slow,
           [G]
How can I roll
[D]                      [G]
 when the wheels won't go?

[G]
Now roll on Buddy
                  [C]
Pull your load of coal
              [G]
Now how can I pull
[D]                      [G]
 When the wheels won't roll


Solo (one 2 verses)


Verse 5:

[G]
It's a long way to Harlan
                   [C]
It's a long way to Hazard
                     [G]
Just to get a little brew,
[D]
 just to get a little brew


Verse 6

[G]
When I'm long gone
                  [C]
Just make my tomb stone
                 [G]
Outa number nine coal
[D]
 Outa number nine coal


Chorus:

[G]
Roll on, Buddy
                  [C]
don't you roll so slow,
           [G]
How can I roll
[D]                      [G]
 when the wheels won't go?

[G]
Now roll on Buddy
                  [C]
Pull your load of coal
              [G]
Now how can I pull
[D]                      [G]
 When the wheels won't roll


Solo (one 1 verses)



Chorus:

[G]
Roll on, Buddy
                  [C]
don't you roll so slow,
           [G]
How can I roll
[D]                      [G]
 when the wheels won't go?

[G]
Now roll on Buddy
                  [C]
Pull your load of coal
              [G]
Now how can I pull
[D]                      [G]
 When the wheels won't roll