John henry was a man that was known for bad fighting
He could lay down a fellow on his back
He could line up a railroad track, yes, baby, line up a railroad track

John henry had a baby and the dress she wore was red
And she walked up and down the railroad tracks,
And i'm going 'round my man till i'm dead, yes, lord
Going 'round my man till i'm dead
Going 'round my man till i'm dead, yes, baby,
Going round my man till i'm dead

John henry had a baby and he held [him in the palm] of his hand
When he looked out in the yard and found a piece of steel, he said,
"son, let that be a piece of you, yes, baby"
He said, "son, let that be a piece of you"

Now, john henry had a woman and her name was polly ann
When john henry laid down and died a natural death,
Polly drove that steel just like a man, yes, lord
Drove that steel just like a man