john henry

when john henry was a little bitty boy

he picked up a hammer in his hand

looked up at his mama and smilingly said

i want to be a steel drivin' man

lord

lord

i want to be a steel drivin' man

soon john henry grew up to be a man

and took a hammer in his hand

he could drive steel with either hand

he was a darn good steel drivin' man

lord

lord

he was a darn good steel drivin' man

now john henry drove an awful lot of steel

he was the best driver in the land

when he'd start in to drivin' down that steel

the sparks would fly to beat the band

lord

lord

the sparks would fly to beat the band

one day they brought a steam driver around

on john henry's face was a smile

just give me a twelve pound hammer mister boss

and i'll beat that driver by a mile

lord

lord

i'll beat that driver by a mile

old john henry started pounding down the steel

the steam drill was there by his side

they both drove steel for ten hours straight

then john henry fell and he died

lord

lord

then john henry fell