John Henry was a steel drivin' man
Oh, he went down
Yes, he went down

John Henry, he had a little wife
Name was Polly Ann
Name was Polly Ann

John Henry took sick in his bed
She drove steel like a man
Drove steel like a man

I walked a lot a way from these colored railroads
Maybe that's my home
Honey, that's my home

You jus' take this hammer and carry it to my captain
Oh, tell him I'm gone
Won't you tell him I'm gone?

John Henry left his hammer layin' side the road
Layin' side the road
John Henry left his hammer all painted in red
All painted in red

You just take this hammer and carry it to my captain
Oh, tell him I'm gone
Won't you tell him I'm gone?