They left for San Francisco in 1959, where they met Mort Lewis, Dave Brubeck's manager. Lewis became their manager and later that year secured them a contract with Columbia Records. Their second single, "Greenfields," released in January 1960, hit #2 on the pop charts, and their first album, Brothers Four, released toward the end of the year, made the top 20. Other highlights of their early career included singing their fourth single, "The Green Leaves of Summer," from the John Wayne movie The Alamo, at the 1961 Academy Awards, and having their second album, BMOC/Best Music On/Off Campus, go top 10. They also recorded the theme song for the ABC television series Hootenanny, "Hootenanny Saturday Night," in 1963.
The British Invasion and the ascendance of such folk musicians as Bob Dylan put an end to the Brothers Four's early period of success, but they kept performing and making records, doing particularly well in Japan and on the American hotel circuit.
The band attempted a comeback by recording a highly commercial version of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." But the band was unable to release it because of licensing issues, and The Byrds eventually stole their thunder by releasing their heralded version.
Mike Kirkland left the group in 1969, and was replaced by Mark Pearson, another University of Washington alumnus. In 1971, Pearson left and was replaced by Bob Haworth, who stayed until 1989 and was replaced by a returning Pearson. Dick Foley left the group in 1990 and was replaced by Terry Lauber. Despite all the changes and having spent 47 years in the business, the group is still active today (2004).
Nine Pound Hammer
The Brothers Four Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too heavy for my size honey for my size
I'm going on the mountain gonna see my baby
And I ain't coming back no, I ain't coming back
Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
How can I roll when the wheels won't go
Roll on buddy pull a load of coal
Now this nine pound hammer is a little
Too heavy for my size honey for my size
I'm going on the mountain gonna see my baby
And I ain't coming back no, I ain't coming back
Roll on buddy don't you roll so slow
How can I roll when the wheels won't go
Roll on buddy pull a load of coal
How can I pull when the wheels won't roll
Now when I'm long gone
Gonna build my tombstone
Out of number nine coal
Out of number nine coal
Roll on buddy don't you roll so slow
How can I roll when the wheels won't go
Roll on buddy pull a load of coal
How can I pull when the wheels won't roll
Now, when I'm long gone
Gonna build my tombstone
Out of number nine coal
Lord out of number nine coal
The Brothers Four's song "Nine Pound Hammer" is a bluesy folk tune that tells the story of a man who is determined to see his baby on the mountain, even if it means leaving everything behind. However, the "nine pound hammer" that he references in the song could either be a literal or figurative tool that represents the troubles he faces and the weight that he carries.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer laments the heaviness of his burden. He recognizes that the "nine pound hammer is a little too heavy for my size," indicating that he is overwhelmed and struggling to keep up with his responsibilities. But despite the difficulty, he remains resolute in his mission to see his lover.
The chorus, "roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow," refers to his impatience and desire to reach his destination as soon as possible. However, he is met with obstacles that prevent him from moving forward. The repetition of the lines "how can I roll when the wheels won't go" emphasizes the futility of his efforts.
In the final stanza, the man reflects on his legacy and decides that he wants his tombstone to be made from "number nine coal." This is likely a reference to his profession as a coal miner, which was a common job in the Appalachian region. By choosing to be remembered for his work and his struggles, he reinforces the idea that the nine pound hammer he carries is both literal and metaphorical.
Line by Line Meaning
Now this nine pound hammer is a little
This heavy hammer is too large for someone of my size
Too heavy for my size honey for my size
This hammer is, without a doubt, too heavy for my physique
I'm going on the mountain gonna see my baby
I'm heading to the mountaintop to visit my lover
And I ain't coming back no, I ain't coming back
I have no intentions of returning home
Roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow
Keep moving, my friend, don't go too slow
How can I roll when the wheels won't go
I'm unable to move forward since the wheels are not turning
Roll on buddy pull a load of coal
Continue to move forward, hauling coal along the way
How can I pull when the wheels won't roll
I can't haul anything until the wheels are turning
Now when I'm long gone
When I'm no longer alive
Gonna build my tombstone
I plan to construct my own gravestone
Out of number nine coal
Using coal labeled 'number nine'
Roll on buddy don't you roll so slow
Keep moving, my friend, don't drag behind
How can I roll when the wheels won't go
I'm unable to move forward since the wheels are not turning
Roll on buddy pull a load of coal
Continue to move forward, hauling coal along the way
How can I pull when the wheels won't roll
I can't haul anything until the wheels are turning
Now, when I'm long gone
When I'm no longer alive
Gonna build my tombstone
I plan to construct my own gravestone
Out of number nine coal
Using coal labeled 'number nine'
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MERLE TRAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richie24
I too loved this song and many of their other songs often because of their great voices and harmonies. I think I see now that probably several of their songs like this and Hard Travelin' were about struggling souls which they "sweetened". Quite honestly, growing up I don't think i would have liked or appreciated the original or real song because I didn't know the hard struggle and I needed the pleasing melody and sound.
Hankfan Hankfan
I became acquainted with TBF as a young kid. My parents had an LP of various artists entitled "When We're Together With the Folk Sound" from Columbia that was produced for Philco. They bought a Philco record player in 1967 and that album was with it (I still have the album and the record player!). I'm this old soul at only 45 years old who loves all the old music.
Michael MR
I appropriated this album from my brother many years ago and this was one of my favourite songs on the album.
David LoganSr
My absolute Favorite TBF song among Dozens of Great songs!
Rochelle Lillig
I still have the vinyl album. I still have a record player.
Mimi Pastulero
Engelbert humperndic