Folk Blues: John Henry - Big Bill Broonzy

Written by：Traditional

John Henry said to his captain

A man ain't nothin' but a man

Before I let your steel drill beat me down

I will die with a hammer in my hand

I will die with a hammer in my hand

I will die with a hammer in my hand

Die with a hammer in my hand

John Henry said to his shaker

Now man why don't you sing

I'm shakin' 12 pounds from my hips on down

Now don't you hear that cold steel

Now don't you hear that cold steel ring

I don't you hear that cold steel ring

Now don't you hear that cold steel ring

John Henry went down that railroad track

With a 12 pound hammer by his side

Yes he went down the track but he never came back

Because he laid down his hammer and he

Yes he laid down his hammer and he died

He laid down his hammer and he died

Yes he laid down his hammer and he died

John Henry hammered in the mountain

And the mountain was so high

And the last words that I heard that poor boy say

Gimme a cool drink of water before I

Gimme a cool drink of water before I die

Gimme a cool drink of water before I die

Gimme a cool drink of water before I die

John Henry had a little woman

And the dress that she wore was red

And the last words that I heard that little girl say

She said

I'm going to where John Henry fell dead

Yes I'm going to where John Henry fell dead

I'm going to where John Henry fell dead

Yes I'm going to where John Henry fell dead

John Henry was a little baby boy

And he held him in the palm of his hand

And the last thing that I know that poor boy say

I'm gonna be a steel driving man

I'm gonna be a steel driving man

I'm gonna be a steel driving man