John Henry was a little baby boy

You could hold him on the palm of your hand

And his Papa cried out this lonesome farewell

Son you're gonna be a steel driving man lord, lord

Son you're gonna be a steel driving man

John Henry went up on the mountain

Looked down on the other side

Lord the mountain was so tall John Henry was so small

He laid down his hammer and he cried poor boy

Laid down his hammer and he cried

John Henry walked through the tunnel

Had his captain by his side

The last words that John Henry said was bring me

Cool drink of what 'for I die lord, lord

Cool drink of what 'for I die

Talk about John Henry as much as you please

Say and do all that you can

There never was born in these United States

No such a steel driving man lord, lord

No such a steel driving man

John Henry told his captain

I want to go to bed

Lord fix me a pallet, I want to lay down

Got a mighty roaring in my head lord, lord

Mighty roaring in my head