John Henry was a steel drivin' boy

But he went down

Yes, he went down

He went down



(break)



Take my hammer and give it to the capt'n

Boys, tell him I'm gone

You can tell him I'm gone

Yes, tell him I'm gone



(break)



This old hammer done kill John Henry

And it don't kill me

No it won't kill me

Ain't gonna kill me



(break)



It's a long way from East Colorado

Honey, to my home

Honey, to my home

Honey, to my home



(break)



John Henry left his hammer

All paint' in red

All shinin' red

John Henry's dead



(break)



Take this hammer and carrie it to the capt'n

You can tell him I'm gone

Boys, tell him I'm gone

You're sure he's gone