John Henry was a baby boy, sittin' on his Mama's knee
Said, "The Big Bend tunnel on the C & O Road,
Is gonna be the death of me,
Well, it's gonna be the death of me.
Well, it's gonna be the death of me,
Lord, it's gonna be the death of me."
John Henry went in the tunnel, he went in the tunnel to drive
The rocks was so tall, John Henry was so small
'Til he laid down his hammer and he cried,
Lord, he laid down his hammer and he cried.
Well, he laid down his hammer and he cried,
Lord, he laid down his hammer and he cried.
John Henry had a little woman, her name was Polly Ann
When Henry got sick and he could not work
Lord, Polly drove steel like a man,
Lord, Polly drove steel like a man.
Well, Polly drove steel like a man,
Well, Polly drove steel like a man.
Put one hole in the headin', you can put one hole in the side
Well the mountain was so tall, John Henry was so small
'Til he laid down his hammer and he died
Lord, he laid down his hammer and he died
Lord, he laid down his hammer and he died
Lord, he laid down his hammer and he died