John Henry had a little woman
And the dress she wore was red
She walked down the track,
She never looked back

I'm going where John Henry fell dead
I'm going where John Henry fell dead

John Henry had another woman
And her name was Polly Anne
John Henry was taken sick
And he had to go to bed

Polly Anne drove steel like a man
Polly Anne drove steel like a man

John Henry told his little woman
Honey fix my supper soon
I got ninety-nine miles
Of track I wanna line back

I'm gonna line 'em by the light of the moon
I'm gonna line 'em by the light of the moon

John Henry said to his captain
You know a man ain't nothin' but a man
I'm bettin' right now you wont beat me down

I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand
I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand

John Henry hammered in the mountain
Until his hammer caught on fire
The last word's I heard that the poor boy said

Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Give me a cool drink of water before I die