John Henry when he was a baby
Sitting on his mothers knee
Saw a hammer and a little piece of steel
Said "Hammer'll be the death of me, Lord
Hammer'll be the death of me"
Well now some say he was born down in Texas
Some say he was born in Maine
Well I don't give a damn where that poor boy was born
Leader of a steel driving chain gang
Leader of a steel driving gang
Now the captain said to John Henry
"I'm gonna bring that steel drill round
Gonna bring that steel drill out of on the job
Whop all that steel on down, Lord
Whop all that steel on down"
John Henry said to his shaker
"Now shaker, why don't you sing?
'Cause I'm bringing twelve pounds from my hips on down
Listen to that cold steel ring, Lord
Listen to that cold steel ring"
John Henry said to his captain
"A man ain't nothing but a man
Gonna beat that steam drill out on the job
Or I'll die with my hammer in my hand, Lord
Die with my hammer in my hand"
John Henry hammered on the mountain
Till his hammer was striking fire
He drove so hard, he broke his poor heart
Laid down his hammer and he died Lord
Laid down his hammer and he died