When john henry was a little baby
Sittin on his mamas knee
Well he picked up a feather and a piece of steel
And said that's gonna be the death of me
Lord, lord, lord that's gonna be the death of me
Well john henry had a little woman
Name of polly ann
Well john got sick had to lay down on the bed
Polly drove steel like a man
Lord, lord, lord, polly drove steel like a man
Well john henry went up on the mountain
Well the mountain was sinkin in
He said come on captain I know what I'm doin
It aint nothin but my hammer suckin wind
Lord, lord, lord, it aint nothin but my hammer suckin wind
Well john henry went up on the mountain
Lord the mountain was so high
He said were gonna shake this steel drivin down
Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Some say he came from england
Some say he came from spain
But john henry was nothin but a louisiana man
And he died with his hammer in his hand
Lord, lord, lord, he died with his hammer in his hand
Steel drivin man, he died with his hammer in his hand
Lord aint nothin but my hammer suckin wind etc. Etc.
