Song – John Henry

When John Henry was a little bitty baby, Lord
Sittin’ on his mammy’s knee
Picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel
Said, “That hammer gonna be the death of me, Lord God
Hammer gonna be the death of me

Captain came to John Henry, Lord
Gonna bring that steel drill round
Bringin’ that steel drill out on the job
We’re gonna whop that steel on down, Lord God
We’re gonna whop that steel on down

John Henry told his captain, Lord
Man ain’t nothin’ but a man
‘Fore I let your old steam drill beat me down
I’m gonna die with this hammer in my hand, Lord God
Die with this hammer in my hand

John Henry had a little woman, Lord
Her name was Polly Ann
One day John got sick and he couldn’t go to work
Polly Ann drove steel like a man, Lord God
Polly Ann drove steel like a man

John Henry he drove fifteen feet
Steam drill only made nine
Hammered so hard that he broke his poor heart
Laid down his hammer and he died, Lord God
Laid down his hammer and he died

Some said he came from Texas, Lord
Some said Louisian’
I don’t care where that poor boy was born
He was a steel drivin’ man, Lord God
He was a steel drivin’ man

He was a steel drivin’ man, Lord God
He was a steel drivin’ man

New words and music adaptation by Bob Gibson

© Robert Josiah Music