作曲 : Traditional
John Henry, when he was a baby
Settin' on his mammy's knee
Picked up an hammer in his little right hand
Said, "Hammer be the death of me, me, meHammer be the death of me"
Some say he's born in 
TexasSome say he's born up in 
MaineI just say he was a 
Louisiana man
Leader of a steel-driving chain gang
Leader on a steel-driving gang
Well, the 
Captain said to 
John Henry"I'm gonna bring my steam drill aroundGonna bring my steam drill out on the jobGonna whup that steel on down, down, downWhup that steel on down"
John Henry said to the 
Captain(What he say?)"You can bring your steam drill aroundYou can bring your steam drill out on the jobI'll beat your steam drill down, down, downBeat your steam drill down"
John Henry said to his 
Shaker"Shaker, you had better prayIf you miss your six feet of steelI'll be your buryin' day, day, dayI'll be your buryin' day"
Now, the Shaker said to 
John Henry(Yes sir)"Man ain't nothing but a man(No he ain't)But before I'd let that steam drill beat me down(I believe him)I'd die with an hammer in my hand, hand, hand(I believe him)I'd die with an hammer in my hand"
John Henry had a little woman
Her name was 
Polly Anne
John Henry took sick and was laid up in bed
While Polly handled steel like a man, man, man
Polly handled steel like a man
They took 
John Henry to the graveyard
Laid him down in the sand
Every locomotive comin' a-rolling by
Hollered, there lies a steel-drivin' man, man, man
There lies a steel-drivin' man
There lies a steel-drivin' man, man, man
There lies a steel-drivin' man