Gonne Die with My Hammer in My Hand

John Henry he told his captain

A man ain't nothing but a man

Before I'd be beaten by this old steam drill
I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand
Lord lord
Gonna die with a hammer in my hands

John Henry he told his captain

Captain how can it be

The big bend tunnel on the C&O road
Is gonna be the death of me
Lord lord
Gonna be the death of me

John Henry had a little hammer

Handle was made of bone

Every time he hit that rail on the head
Hammer reaches down and groans
Lord lord
Hammer reaches down and groans

John Henry he told his shaker

Shaker you better pray

For if I miss this six foot steel
Tomorrow be your burying day
Lord lord

Tomorrow be your burying day

John Henry had but one only son

Sat in the palm of your hand

The very play John Henry said

Son don't be a steel driving man
Lord lord
Son don't be a steel driving man

John Henry had a little woman

Her name was Sally Ann

John Henry got sick and he could not work

Sally drove her steel like a man
Lord lord

Sally drove her steel like a man