When John Henry was a little-bitty boySittin' on his mommy's knee;He picked up a hammer and a little piece of steelSaid "this hammer's gonna be the death of me""This hammer's gonna be the death of me"When John Henry was a little babyNo bigger than the palm of your handHis mommy looked down at little Johnny and said"My Johnny gonna be a steel drivin' man" (yes he is)"My Johnny gonna be a steel drivin' man"John Henry was a steel drivin' manDrove steel all over the land'Fore I let the steam hammer get my downI'll die with my hammer in my handDiе with my hammer in my handJohn Henry went to thе tunnel to driveSteam hammer by his sideHe beat the steam hammer to the top of the hillAnd he laid down his hammer and he cried (oh lord)Laid down his hammer and he criedThe captain said to John Henry"I believe that mountain's cavin' in"John Henry just laughed at the captain and said"That ain't nothin' but hy hammer suckin' wind""That ain't nothin' but hy hammer suckin' wind"John Henry had a lovin little wifeHer name was PollyAnneJohnny got sick and he had to go to bedPolly drove steel like a man. (yes)Polly drove steel like a manThey buried John Henry in the graveyardThey layed him down in the sandEvery time a freight train comes puffin' by they say"Yonder lies a steel drivin' man.""Yonder lies a steel drivin' man."
