John Henry

Well John Henry was
A little baby boy
Sittin on his daddy's knee
He said "If I live, 'til I'm twenty-one
I'm gonna be a steel drivin' man
Lord, Lord
I'm gonna be a steel drivin' man"

Well John Henry grew
To be a steel drivin' man
Had a girl named Mary Magdelene
She would go to the tunnel
Every chance she'd get
Just to hear John Henry's hammer ring
Lord, Lord
Just to hear that old hammer ring.

Well the captain said to John Henry
Gonna bring me a steam drill 'round
Gonna take that steam drill
Out on the job
Gonna beat your old hammer down
Lord, Lord
I'm gonna beat your old hammer down

Well John Henry said to the captain
With lightnin' in his eye
Captain you can bet your last red cent
I'll beat him to the bottom or I'll die,
Lord, Lord,
I'll beat him to the bottom or I'll die.

Well they took poor Johnny
To the steep hillside
He looked to the heavens above
He said "Take my hammer and
Wrap it up in gold
And give it to the girl I love
Just give it to the girl

Well if I die a railroad man
Go bury me under the sand
With my pick and shovel at my head and feet
And a 9-pound hammer in my hand
A 9-pound hammer in my hand