In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.
Nine Pound Hammer is Too Heavy
Bill Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby For my size, Lord for my size
Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
Baby how can I roll, when the wheels won't go
I'm going to the mountain, for to see my baby
Lord I ain't coming back, no I ain't coming back
Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
Baby how can I roll, when the wheels won't go
There ain't one hammer, in this tunnel
That ring like mine, that ring like mine
Rings like silver and shines like gold
Rings like silver and shines like gold
Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
Baby how can I roll, when the wheels won't go
This nine pound hammer just a little too heavy
Baby For my size, Lord for my size
Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
Baby how can I roll, when the wheels won't go
In Bill Monroe's classic bluegrass tune "Nine Pound Hammer is Too Heavy," the singer laments the weight of his hammer, which is too much for his size. Despite this, he's determined to go to the mountain to see his love, and he's not coming back. The repetition of the line "roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow" emphasizes the singer's urgency and frustration with the slow-moving train. The final lines echo the opening ones, suggesting that the singer's problems aren't yet solved.
There are several ways to interpret the lyrics of this song. One possibility is that the nine pound hammer represents an oppressive burden or responsibility that the singer is unable to bear. He's too small for the weight of the hammer, just as he's too small for the task at hand. The slow-rolling train may symbolize the singer's reluctance to move forward, or his sense that the world around him is moving too slowly. The reference to the mountain suggests a distant goal or destination that the singer is willing to endure hardship to reach. The hammer's unique ring and shine may be a source of pride or a reminder of the singer's individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
This nine pound hammer just a little too heavy
Bill Monroe is finding it difficult to handle the nine-pound hammer due to his size.
Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
Bill is asking the wheels to get moving faster.
Baby how can I roll, when the wheels won't go
He is questioning how he will be able to move forward when the wheels are not functioning correctly.
I'm going to the mountain, for to see my baby
Bill is heading to the mountain to see his lover.
Lord I ain't coming back, no I ain't coming back
Bill has no intentions of returning from his trip to the mountain.
There ain't one hammer, in this tunnel
There is no hammer that sounds as good as Bill's in that tunnel.
That ring like mine, that ring like mine
Bill is proud of the quality of the sound produced by his hammer which is exceptional.
Rings like silver and shines like gold
The sounds of his hammer are pleasing to the ear and cannot be compared to any other.
This nine pound hammer just a little too heavy
Bill is still struggling to work with the nine-pound hammer due to its weight.
Baby For my size, Lord for my size
Due to his small physical size, handling this hammer is difficult, even though it is only nine pounds.
Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
Bill is urging the wheels to keep moving at a faster pace.
Baby how can I roll, when the wheels won't go
He reiterates his concern about the wheels not functioning correctly and this is hindering his movement.
Writer(s): Charles Monroe
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.