There was a steel driving man name was John Henry
Oh he went down, he went down, he went down

Oh go in take this hammer to my captain
Won't ya tell him I'm gone, won't ya tell him I'm gone, won't ya tell him I'm gone

Well it's a long long way from East Colorado
Honey to my home, honey to my home, honey to my home
That's where I'm goin'

John Henry left on his hammer
All painted red, painted red, all painted red

Oh come on carry down the hammer that killed John Henry
But it won't kill me, it won't kill me, oh it won't kill me