John Henry Lyrics

When John Henry was just a little baby boy
Sitting on his Daddy's knee
He said, "The Big Bend Tunnel on the C&O line
"Gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord
"Gonna be the death of me."
Well, the capt. said to John Henry,
"Gonna bring that steam drill around
"I'm gonna bring that steam drill out on the job
"Gonna whup that old steel on down..."

Well, John Henry said to the capt.,
He said, "A man ain't nothing but a man
"But before I would let that old steam drill beat me down
"I'd die with this hammer in my hand..."
John Henry said to his partner,
He said, "Shaker, Lord, you better pray,
"Cause I'm swinging 20 lbs. from my hips on down
"If I miss it'll be your burying day...."

So John Henry hammered on the mountain
His hammer was striking fire
But he worked so hard he broke his poor heart
Laid down his hammer and he died....
Now the man who invented the steam drill
He though he was mighty fine
But John Henry, he had driven 15 ft.
And that steam drill had only made nine...

Now every Monday morning
When the bluebirds begin to sing
Way off yonder, bout a mile or more
You can hear John Henry's hammer ring...