John Henry was a little baby
Sitting on his daddy's knee.
Cried, "The Big Bend Tunnel on the C. and O. road,
It's a-goin' to be the death of me,
It's a-goin' to be the death of me."
John Henry put a hole up in the rock,
One down in the side.
Oh, the rock was so tall, John Henry was so small,
He laid down his hammer, and he cried,
He laid down his hammer, and he cried.
Oh, the people heard a mighty rumblin',
Thought the tunnel might be fallin' in.
John Henry said, "It's nothin' in the world
But my steel hammer hossin' in the wind,
But my steel hammer hossin' in the wind.
John Henry said to his shaker,
"Boy, you'd better pray,
If ever I miss this six foot of steel,
Tomorrow'll be your burying day,
Tomorrow'll be your burying day."
John Henry had a little woman,
Her name was Julie Ann.
He hugged her, he kissed her before he died.
Says, "Oh Julie, do the best you can, can,
Oh Julie, do the best you can."
