Can't you hear the whistle of my big spike hammer
Lord it's busting my side
I've done all I can do to keep that woman happy
Still she's not satisfied

Hey hey Della Mae
Why do you treat me this way
Hey hey Della Mae
I'll get even some day

I'm the best hammer swinger on this big section gang
Big Bill Johnson is my name
Lord this hammer that I swing for a dollar and a half a day
I'll all for my Della Mae

Now I've been lots of places, not much I ain't done
There's still a lot of things I'd like to see
Lord this hammer that I swing or the woman that I love
Yes, one's gonna be the death of me