JOHN HENRY WAS A LITTLE BOY
 

John Henry was a little boy
Lord, he sat on his papa's knee
Lord, he picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel
Said, "This hammer be the death of me
This hammer be the death of me."
 

John Henry told his captain,
Says, "I am a Tennessee man
But before I let that steam drill beat me down
Lord, I'll die with my hammer in my hand
I'll die with my hammer in my hand."
 

C'mon, Johnny!
 

John Henry told his shaker
Says, "Shaker, you'd better pray
Lord, if I miss this six foot steel
Tomorrow be your buryin' day
Tomorrow be your buryin' day."
 

John Henry walked to the tunnel
With his captain by his side
The rock was so tall, John Henry so small
Lord, he laid down his hammer and cried
He laid down his hammer and he cried
 

John Henry had a lovely little woman
Name was Polly Ann
John Henry got sick and he had to go home
Lord, Polly drove his steel like a man
Polly drove his steel like a man

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