| John Henry was a little colored boy
|
| You could hold him on the palm of your hand
|
| And his papa cried out this lonesome farewell
|
| Son gonna be a steel drivin' man Lord Lord
|
| Son gonna be a steel drivin' man
|
| John Henry went upon 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 Lord Lord
|
| He laid down his hammer and he cried
|
| John Henry walked to the top
|
| Had his captain by his side
|
| The last words that John Henry said
|
| Bring me a cool drink of water 'fore I die Lord Lord
|
| Bring a cool drink of water 'fore I die
|
| Talk about John Henry as much as you please
|
| Say and do all that you can
|
| Never was born in these united states
|
| Nonesuch a steel drivin' man Lord Lord
|
| Nonesuch a steel drivin' man
|
| John Henry told his captain
|
| I want to go to bed
|
| Fix me a pallet of straw to lay down
|
| Got money roarin' in my head Lord Lord
|
| Got money roarin' in my head |