So for the song to have been recorded back in 1927 means that it is Public Domain.Correct? What does it matter who wrote it? I myself have heard many different versions of it as well a number of verses mixed in from other tunes. To find out the orgional form of the tune is just impossible. I live in Eastern Kentucky and the reference to Harlan and Hazard has always been clear to me. It was either due to prohibition or the fact that we have dry counties in the state that don't allow the sale of alcohol. Perhaps Harlan and Hazard were the two places (that the author knew of)to get some whiskey or home brew. It does make reference to "get a little brew". I play music , and jam at festivals all over the place and have heard many different verses to this song. Heres what I can remember: I'm going on the mountain Just to see my baby And I ain't coming back, Lord, Lord No I aint coming back This Nine pound hammer Is a little too heavy Buddy for my size Buddy for my size Roll on Buddy Don't you roll so slow How can I roll, Lord , Lord When the wheels won't roll Their ain't one hammer down in this tunnel that will ring like mine tha will ring like mine Rings like silver Shines Like Gold Rings like silver and shines like gold This ole hammer well it killed (my buddy/John Henry) ain't gonna kill me ain't gonne kill me You can take this hammer Give it to the captain tell him I'm gone tell him I'm gone If He asks you where I've gone to tell him you don't know tell him you don't know It's a long way to Harlan and a long way to Hazard Just to get a little brew just to get a little brew When I'm long gone You can make my tombstone Out of number nine coal out of number nine coal I have heard it many ways. These are some of the verses that I remember right now. The subject matter in the verses vary, it certainly appears to be the classic case of many songs mashed together. It happened back then because they didn't have records to learn from. They heard someone sing it and they tried their best to remember it and then they mixed in other verses to fill it up. It was all passed on by playing and singing. I have researched many songs and am still looking for many songs. It's always the same tale the verses vary from the recordings and what common musicians or balladeers sang. Which makes it all the more interesting, the mystery, the many interpretations.
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