John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
He drove farther than any of the crew
And every time his hammer went down
You could see that old steam drill moving through, Lord, Lord
You could see that old steam drill 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, Lord, Lord
Polly drove steel like a man
John Henry stepped up to his captain
Says, "Captain, here I stand
If I can't beat your steam-drivin' drill
Oh, I'll die with my hammer in my hand, Lord Lord
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, Lord, Lord
Oh, a cool drink of vater 'fore I die"