"John Henry" Lyrics

(Traditional)

John Henry was a little bitty boy, sittin' on his mommy's knee
When he picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel
This hammer'd be a death of me Lord, Lord
This hammer'd be a death of me.

John Henry was a little bitty boy, no bigger than a palm of your hand
When his mommy looked at him proudly and said
My Johnny'll be a steal drivin' man Lord, Lord
Hey, Johnny'll be a steal drivin' man.

--- Instrumental ---

John Henry was a steel drivin' man, drove steel all through the land
Before he would let that steam drill beat him down
He'd die with the hammer in his hand Lord, Lord
He'd die with the hammer in his hand

John Henry went to the tunnel drive, steam drill was by his side
Before he would let that steam drill beat him down
He laid down his hammer and he cried Lord, Lord
He laid down his hammer and he cried.

--- Instrumental ---

John Henry went up on the mountain and he looked down on the other side
And the last words I heard poor old John Henry said
A cool drink of water before I die Lord, Lord
Cool drink of water before I die.

John Henry had a little woman and her name was Polly Ann
And the last words I heard poor old John Henry said
Polly drive that steel like a man Lord, Lord
Polly drive that steel like a man...