Roll On Buddy (Version 1, typed, key of E)
Public domain - full karaoke IMMHA-L356
Credit: Traditional · traditional (recorded 1928)
Origin: Traditional Appalachian work song, related to 'Nine Pound Hammer' and recorded by the Bowman Brothers (1928) and others; treated as traditional and public domain. Typewritten in purple ink with chords, 4/4 time, key of E, marked 'traditional', with a break.
Source: https://www.bluegrassmessengers.com/roll-on-buddy.aspx
Lyrics sheet: courtesy of Country Roads Folk Music Camp, Mount Madonna County Park, California (about the camp)
Original scan: from John's songbook (scan to be posted on @IMMHACAL)
Chords as printed on the original song sheet. Chords as typed.
E E7 A A7 Oh roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow B7 E Buddy how can I roll, when the wheels won't go? E7 A A7 Well, won't somebody come and grease my buggy B7 E So the wheels will roll, so the wheels will roll E E7 A A7 Now one of these days, and it won't be long B7 E You're gonna call my name, and I'll be gone E E7 A A7 Oh roll on buddy, and make your time B7 E For I am sick and I can't make mine (Break) E E7 A A7 I wish I was a rich man's son B7 E I'd sit on the bank and watch the work get done E7 A A7 But as it is, I'm a poor man's son B7 E I'll wait by the track 'til the pay train comes E E7 A A7 Oh roll on buddy, and do your best B7 E When the sun goes down, sit down and rest E7 A A7 This nine pound hammer's just a little too heavy B7 E Buddy for my size, buddy for my size E E7 A A7 This nine pound hammer killed John Henry B7 E But it can't kill me, Lord, it can't kill me E E7 A A7 Oh roll on buddy, don't you roll so slow B7 E A7 E7 When the sun goes down, you'll roll no more