john henry was a steel drivin' man

john henry was a steel drivin' man

john henry was a steel drivin' man

he died in west virginia

with his hammer in his hand

they sing about him all across the land

john henry was a steel drivin' man

he beat the steam drill down and then he died

he beat the steam drill down and then he died

and it didn't change nothin'

but heaven knows he tried

he was buried with his hammer by his side

he beat the steam drill down and then he died

there's coal beneath the mountain down below

there's coal beneath the mountain down below

and the company come to take it

but the work was hard and slow

said

when there ain't no money in it