John Henry

Lyrics for John Henry

John Henry when he was a baby Sitting on his mothers knee Saw a hammer and a little piece of steel Said "Hammer'll be the death of me, Lord Hammer'll be the death of me" Well now some say he was born down in Texas Some say he was born in Maine Well I don't give a damn where that poor boy was born Leader of a steel driving chain gang Leader of a steel driving gang Now the captain said to John Henry "I'm gonna bring that steel drill round Gonna bring that steel drill out of on the job Whop all that steel on down, Lord Whop all that steel on down" John Henry said to his shaker "Now shaker, why don't you sing? 'Cause I'm bringing twelve pounds from my hips on down Listen to that cold steel ring, Lord Listen to that cold steel ring" John Henry said to his captain "A man ain't nothing but a man Gonna beat that steam drill out on the job Or I'll die with my hammer in my hand, Lord Die with my hammer in my hand" John Henry hammered on the mountain Till his hammer was striking fire He drove so hard, he broke his poor heart Laid down his hammer and he died Lord Laid down his hammer and he died