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
[ fiddle ]
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
[ steel ]
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