John Henry

John Henry was a little colored boy

You could hold him on the palm of your hand

And his papa cried out this lonesome farewell



Son gonna be a steel drivin' man, Lord, Lord

Gonna be a steel drivin' man



John Henry went upon the mountain

Looked down on the other side

Lord, the mountain was so tall

John Henry was so small



He laid down his hammer and he cried, Lord, Lord

He laid down his hammer and he cried



John Henry told his captain

(What it is?)

I want to go to bed

Now fix me a pallet of straw to lay down



Got money roarin' in my head, Lord, Lord

Got money roarin' in my head