John Henry Songtext
von Buell Kazee

John Henry was a steel driving man
He drove for many a crew
And every time his hammer went down
You could see that old steamer moving through
You could see that old steamer moving through


John Henry married him a woman
Her name was Polly Ann
John Henry got sick in the tunnel one day
And Polly drove steel like a man
Polly drove steel like a man

John Henry stepped up to his captain
Says, "Captain, here I stand
If I can′t beat your steel driving drill
Oh, I'll die with my hammer in my hand
Oh, I′ll die with my hammer in my hand"


John Henry hammered in the mountain
Till his hammer caught on fire
And the very last words I heard John Henry say
Was "A cool drink of water 'fore I die
Oh, a cool drink of water 'fore I die"