John Henry
John Henry's Steel-Driven Fate: A Southern Ballad Unveiled
Lyrics
When John Henry was a little baby
John Henry's infancy is introduced.
Sittin' on his mama's knee
He was on his mother's lap.
Well he picked up a feather and a piece of steel
John Henry held a feather and steel, foreseeing danger.
And said that's gonna be the death of me
Expressing concern that his chosen path may lead to his demise.
Lord, lord, lord that's gonna be the death of me
Reiteration of the fear of the chosen path.
Well John Henry had a little woman
Introduction of John Henry's partner, Polly Ann.
Name of Polly Ann
Name of John Henry's woman.
Well John got sick had to lay down on the bed
John Henry fell ill, and Polly took on steel-driving.
Polly drove steel like a man
Polly demonstrated strength in her work.
Lord, lord, lord, Polly drove steel like a man
Reiteration of Polly's strength in steel-driving.
Well John Henry went up on the mountain
John Henry faced challenges on a mountain.
Well the mountain was sinkin' in
The mountain was sinking, a metaphorical obstacle.
He said come on captain I know what I'm doin'
John Henry confident in his abilities, addressing a captain.
It ain't nothin' but my hammer suckin' wind
His hammer was struggling, possibly fatigue or hardship.
Lord, lord, lord, It ain't nothin' but my hammer suckin' wind
Reiteration of the challenge with the hammer.
Well john Henry went up on the mountain
John Henry faced a high mountain.
Lord the mountain was so high
The mountain's height emphasized.
He said we're gonna shake this steel drivin' down
Expressing determination to overcome challenges.
Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Request for a final drink before facing the potential death.
Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Reiteration of the plea for a last drink.
Some say he came from England
Rumors about John Henry's origin, suggesting uncertainty.
Some say he came from Spain
Various opinions on John Henry's origin.
But John Henry was nothin' but a Louisiana man
Defining John Henry as a Louisiana man.
And he died with his hammer in his hand
His death is highlighted with the image of the hammer.
Lord, lord, lord, he died with his hammer in his hand
Reiteration of John Henry's death with the hammer.
Steel drivin' man, he died with his hammer in his hand
Final acknowledgment of his identity as a steel-driving man.
Lord ain't nothin' but my hammer suckin' wind etc. etc.
Repetition of the hammer's struggle as a closing remark.
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