Story of the famous, folk hero John Henry.

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Performed accapello with hand rhythms.

John Henry

When John Henry was a little baby; sitting on his daddy's knee.
He pointed his finger to little piece steel, he said that steel, going to be the death of me.

They took John Henry to the mountain, the mountain was so high.
Mountain so tall, John Henry so small, he just lay down his hammer and he cried.

Well the captain said to John Henry, I believe this mountain is sinking in.
John Henry said to his captain don't you worry, it's just my hammer catching wind.

Then the captain said to John Henry, I'm going to bring my steam drill round.
I'm going to bring my steam drill out on the job, I'm going to beat John Henry down.

John Henry said to his Shaker, Shaker boy you better pray.
Close if I miss with this 9 pound mall, tomorrow is going to be your burying day.

Well John Henry hammered on that mountain, his hammer was striking fire.
John Henry drove 12 on down, while the steam drill only made 9.

John Henry set up on the right side, they put the steam drill to the left.
John Henry beat that steam drill to the ground, but he hammered in his poor self to death.

They took John Henry to the tunnel, they buried him in the sand.
Every locomotive that goes rolling bye, they say, “there lies a steel drivin’ man”.