When john henry was a little bitty boy
Sitting on his granpappys knee
He looked down the track he saw an 8 wheel Jack
You'll never be a driver like me God

I heard a mighty rumblin back in top of bald mountain
Thought it was a cave coming in
John Henry drove the steel so popeyed fast
His hammer caught the fire and the wind God

John Henry's Captain told him
Wagon is going to town
I want you to buy me a 9 pound hammer
Iwant to beat the steam drill down God