JOHN HENRY 

(Traditional)

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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

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

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