album cover
John Henry
10,075
On Tour
Jazz
John Henry was released on May 13, 2013 by Mack Avenue Records as a part of the album WomanChild
album cover
Release DateMay 13, 2013
LabelMack Avenue Records
Melodicness
Acousticness
Valence
Danceability
Energy
BPM113

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Vocals
Aaron Diehl
Aaron Diehl
Piano
Rodney Whitaker
Rodney Whitaker
Double Bass
Herlin Riley
Herlin Riley
Drums
James Chirillo
James Chirillo
Guitar
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Cécile McLorin Salvant
Translation
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Al Pryor
Al Pryor
Producer
Todd Whitelock
Todd Whitelock
Mixing Engineer
Tim Marchiafava
Tim Marchiafava
Assistant Engineer
Damon Whittemore
Damon Whittemore
Additional Engineer
Mark Wilder
Mark Wilder
Mastering Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
John Henry was a little baby sittin' his papa's knees
Well, he picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel
Says, this hammer's going to be the death of me
This hammer's gonna be the death of me
Hammer's gonna be the death of me
Hammer's gonna be the death of me
[Verse 2]
John Henry said to his captain, "Now a man ain't nothing but a man"
Before I let your steel drill bring me down
I will die with that hammer in my
I'll die with that hammer in my hand
I'll die with that hammer in my hand
I'll die with that hammer in my hand
[Verse 3]
John Henry said to his shaker, "Now shaker, why don't you sing?"
I'm shakin' twelve pounds from my hip on down
Now don't you hear that cold steel ring?
Don't you hear that cold steel ring?
Don't you hear that cold steel ring?
Don't you hear that cold steel ring?
[Verse 4]
John Henry, hammered in the mountain and the mountain, it was so high
And the last words that I heard that poor man cry
He says, "Gimme a cool drink of water before I die"
Gimme a cool drink of water before I die
Gimme a cool drink of water before I die
Gimme a cool drink of water before I die
[Verse 5]
John Henry went down that railroad track
With a twelve pound of hammer by his side
Yes, he went down the track, but he never came back
Because he laid down his hammer and  he
He laid down his hammer and he
He laid down his hammer and he died
He laid down his hammer and he died
[Verse 6]
John Henry had a little woman and the dress that she wore was red
And the last words that I heard that poor man girl said
She says, "I'm goin' where John Henry fell dead"
I'm goin' where John Henry fell dead
I'm goin' where John Henry fell dead
I'm goin' where John Henry fell dead
Written by: Bob Gibson, Robert L. Camp
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