John Henry told his little woman
Honey cook my supper soon
I've got ninety miles of track
I'm gonna line 'em by the light of the moon
I'm gonna line 'em by the light of the moon

Spoken:
John Henry was a steel driver
He was the best in the land
And he'd die with his hammer in his hand
I'll tell you all about him now

John Henry told his captain
You know a man ain't nothin' but a man
But before I let your steam drill beat me down
I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand
I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand

John Henry told to his captain
You know a man ain't nothin' but a man
But before I let your steam drill beat me down
I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand
I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand

John Henry had another woman
And the dress that she wore was red
Oh she studies the track lord she never looked back
I'm going where John Henry lies dead
I'm going where John Henry lies dead
John Henry went down to Washington
..... ..... them in the sand
And the people from the East and people from the west
Ain't seen such a steel driving man
Ain't seen such a steel driving man

But if some say he's from England
And some say he's from France
No he's nothing but a Louisiana man
A leader of the steel driving gang
A leader of the steel driving gang