Nine Pound Hammer is one of the most famous working-class anthems in American music history. The song depicts the hardships of coal miners and railroad workers, where the nine-pound hammer was a tool of both obsession and livelihood. Merle Travis's performances, particularly around 1951, showcased his unique "Travis Picking" style — a technique using the thumb for bass lines and other fingers for melody simultaneously, creating the illusion of two guitarists playing at once. The song is more tha