John Henry, he was a little baby boy You could hold him in the palm of your hand And his papa cried out, his lone son farewell "Son you're gonna be a steam drivin' man" LORD LORD! "You're gonna be a steam drivin' man" John Henry, he went up the mountain He looked down on the other side Though the mountain was so tall John Henry was so small He laid down his hammer and he cried OH BOY! He laid his hammer and he cried John Henry, he walked through the tunnel Had his captain there by his side The last words that John Henry said "Will you bring me a cool drink of water before I die?" OH LORD! "Just a cool drink of water before I die?" John Henry, he was a little baby boy You could hold him in the palm of your hand And his papa cried out, his lone son farewell "Son you're gonna lead a steal drivin' band" OH LORD! "And You're gonna die a steam drivin' man"