[Verse 1]
Well, when John Henry died he lay lookin' at the sun
He said Lord, take me now my work is done, Lord, Lord
Lord take me now my work is done

[Verse 2]
Yeah, but when they laid him out in that box of pine, boy
They laid that hammer by his side, Lord, Lord
Laid that hammer by his side

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 3]
Yeah, and Joe Hill he worked any job he could find, boy
He'd rake your leaves and pick your vine, Lord, Lord
Rake your leaves and pick your vine

[Verse 4]
Yeah, and they killed Joe Hill, put a bullet to his name
But that bullеt made a martyr of the slain, Lord, Lord
Bullet madе a martyr of the slain

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 5]
Yeah, and my grand daddy worked his whole damn life
Well, he never saved a nickel though he tried, Lord, Lord
Never saved a nickel though he tried
[Verse 6]
And he died in Tennessee but he couldn't find no rest
With that long road to Texas lie ahead, Lord Lord
Long road to Texas lie ahead

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 7]
Yes sir, I ain't no great man and Lord I expect to see
A long life of workin' in your debt, Lord, Lord
A long life of workin' in your debt

[Hook]
They killed John Henry, they killed John Henry
They killed John Henry but they won't kill me, Lord
They killed John Henry, they killed John Henry
They killed John Henry but they won't kill me