John Henry
Well John Henry was a little babySittin' on his daddy's kneeHe picked up a hammer anda little piece of steelAnd cried, "Hammer's gonnabe death of me, Lord, LordHammer's gonna be the death of me"
Now the captain hesaid to John Henry"I'm gonna bring thatsteam drill aroundI'm gonna bring thatsteam drill out on these tracksI'm gonna knock thatsteel on down, God, GodI'm gonna knock thatsteel on down"
John Henry told his captain"Lord a man ain't noth' but a manBut before I let that steam drillbeat me downI'm gonna die with a hammerin my hand, Lord, LordI'll die with a hammer in my hand"
John Henry drivingon the right sideThat steam drill drivingon the leftSays, "Fore I let yoursteam drill beat me downI'm gonna hammermyself to death, Lord, Lord,I'll hammer my fool self to death"
Well captain said to John Henry"What is that storm I hear?"John Henry said, "Thatain't no storm captainThat's just my hammerin the air, Lord, LordThat's just my hammer in the air"
John Henry said to his shaker"Shaker, why don't you sing?Cause I'm swingin' thirty poundsfrom my hips on downYeah, listen to my cold steelring, Lord Lord
Listen to my cold steel ring"
John Henry he hammeredin the mountainsHis hammer was striking fireBut he worked so hard;it broke his heartJohn Henry laid down his hammerand died, Lord, Lord
John Henry laid down his hammer and died
Well, now John Henryhe had him a womanBy the name of Polly AnnShe walked out to those tracksPicked up John Henry's hammerPolly drove steel like a man, Lord, LordPolly drove that steel like a man
Well every, every Monday morningWhen a blue bird he began to singYou could hear John Henryfrom a mile or moreYou could hear John Henry's hammerring, Lord, LordYou can hear John Henry's hammer ringI say, You can John Henry'shammer ring, Lord, LordYou can John Henry'shammer ring