When John Henry was just a little bitty boy no bigger than the palm of your hand
His mommy looked down at John Henry and say
Well Johnny you're gonna be a steal drivin' man Lord lord
Well Johnny you're gonna be a steal drivin' man
John Henry he said to his Captain he said Captain why don't you learn to swing
I'm drivin' forty-nine pounds from my hip on down
I love to hear that cold steel ring Lord Lord I love to hear that cold steel ring

[ guitar ]

John Henry had a pretty little woman and her name was Polly Ann
John Henry he took sick and he had gone to bed
Polly drove the steel like a man Lord Lord but Polly drove the steel like a man
John Henry went up on that mountain had that steam hammer by his side
Well beat that drill till the end of the line
He laid down his hammer and he cried Lord Lord he laid down his hammer and he cried

[ guitar ]

John Henry drove the steel on that mountain till that hammer caught on fire
Well the very last words I'd hear ol' John Henry say

Cool glass of water I'm gonna die Lord Lord a cool glass of water I'm gonna die

Well they bury John Henry in the graveyard they laid him six feet under the sand

Everytime a freight train go a rollin' on by

They say yonder lies a steel drivin' man Lord Lord well yonder lies a steel drivin' man