John Henry - Chris Barber, Chris Barber's Jazz Band

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