John Henry was a steel driving man
Carried his hammer all the time
And before he'd let that steam drill beat him down
Said he'd die with his hammer in his hand
Said he'd die with his hammer in his hand
John Henry went to the mountain top
Beat that steam drill down
But the rock was high, John Henry was so small
That he laid down his hammer and he died
Yes, he laid down his hammer and he died
John Henry had a pretty little gal
And her name was Polly Ann
And when John was layin' on his bed so low
Polly'd drive with his hammer like a man
Took and drive with his hammer like a man