John Henry
John Henry's Steel Legacy: A Tale of Grit and Labor
Lyrics
When John Henry was just a little bitty boy no bigger than the palm of your hand
John Henry was a very small boy, even smaller than the palm of a hand.
His mommy looked down at John Henry and say
His mother looked at John Henry and made a statement.
Well Johnny you're gonna be a steal drivin' man Lord lord
She predicted that John Henry would become a strong worker in the steel industry.
Well Johnny you're gonna be a steal drivin' man
Reiteration of his future as a steelworker.
John Henry he said to his Captain he said Captain why don't you learn to swing
John Henry questioned his captain about why he didn’t learn to work as hard as him.
I'm drivin' forty-nine pounds from my hip on down
He described the weight he was driving into the ground, emphasizing his strength.
I love to hear that cold steel ring Lord Lord I love to hear that cold steel ring
Expresses his joy in the sound of the steel ringing against the ground.
[ guitar ]
[Instrumental break]
John Henry had a pretty little woman and her name was Polly Ann
John Henry had a beautiful woman named Polly Ann.
John Henry he took sick and he had gone to bed
He fell ill and was unable to work.
Polly drove the steel like a man Lord Lord but Polly drove the steel like a man
Polly took up the work of driving the steel in his absence.
John Henry went up on that mountain had that steam hammer by his side
John Henry went to confront the challenge of a steam hammer, a machine that threatened his work.
Well beat that drill till the end of the line
He worked hard until the end of the line.
He laid down his hammer and he cried Lord Lord he laid down his hammer and he cried
John Henry stopped working and expressed distress at the situation.
[ guitar ]
[Instrumental break]
John Henry drove the steel on that mountain till that hammer caught on fire
He continued working vigorously until the hammer broke due to the intensity of his effort.
Well the very last words I'd hear ol' John Henry say
Recollection of John Henry's final words expressing his impending death.
Cool glass of water I'm gonna die Lord Lord a cool glass of water I'm gonna die
His last wish before dying was for a cool glass of water.
Well they bury John Henry in the graveyard they laid him six feet under the sand
John Henry was buried six feet underground in a graveyard.
Everytime a freight train go a rollin' on by
Every time a train passes by, it’s said to be a tribute to John Henry.
They say yonder lies a steel drivin' man Lord Lord well yonder lies a steel drivin' man
People recognize and honor his legacy as a hardworking steel driver.
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