album cover
John Henry
15
Singer/Songwriter
John Henry was released on January 1, 1983 by Rounder as a part of the album Howjadoo
album cover
Release DateJanuary 1, 1983
LabelRounder
LanguageEnglish
Melodicness
Acousticness
Valence
Danceability
Energy
BPM73

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
John McCutcheon
John McCutcheon
Performer
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
John McCutcheon
John McCutcheon
Composer

Lyrics

When John Henry was just a little baby boy
Sitting on his mama's knee
He said "The Big Bend Tunnel, long as seeing no light
Is gonna be the death of me"
Said "It's gonna be the death of me"
Well, the captain he said to John Henry
"Gonna bring that old steam drill 'round
Lord, I'm gonna bring that old steam drill
Right out on the job
I'm gonna whop that old steel right on down
I'm gonna whop that old steel right on down"
Well, John Henry said to the captain
Said "A man ain't nothing but a man
But before I would let that old steam drill beat me down
I'd die with this hammer in my hand
Yes, I would, I'd die with this hammer in my hand"
Now, John Henry said to his shaker
Said "Shaker, oh Lord, you better pray
Because I'm swinging twenty pounds
From my hips on down
If I miss, be your burying day
If I miss, it'll be your burying day"
So John Henry hammered on the mountain
His hammer was striking fire
But he worked so hard that he broke his poor heart
And he laid down his hammer and he died
Yes, he did, he laid down his hammer and he died
You know, the man who invented the steam drill
He thought he was mighty fine
But John Henry, he had driven fifteen feet
And the steam drill had only made nine
That old steam drill had only made nine
Now, every Monday morning
When the bluebirds begin to sing
You know, way off yonder 'bout a mile or more
You can hear John Henry's hammer ring
You can hear John Henry's hammer ring
Hear John Henry's hammer ring
Good Lord, now, listen to that cold steel ring
Listen to it ring now
Written by: John McCutcheon
instagramSharePathic_arrow_out􀆄 copy􀐅􀋲

Loading...