Dave Van Ronk
John Henry
John Henry when he was a babySettin' on his mammy's kneePicked up an hammer in his little right handSaid "Hammer be the death of me me me,Hammer be the death of me!"Some say he's born in TexasSome say he's born up in MaineI just say he was a Louisiana manLeader of a steel-driving chain gangLeader on a steel-driving gang"Well", the captain said to John Henry"I'm gonna bring my steam drill aroundGonna whup that steel on down down downWhup that steel on down!"John Henry said to the captain (what he say?)"You can bring your steam drill aroundGonna bring my steam drill out on the jobI'll beat your steam drill down down downBeat your steam drill down!"John Henry said to his Shaker"Shaker you had better prayIf you miss your six feet of steelSongtexteIt'll be your buryin' day day dayIt'll be your buryin' day!"Now the Shaker said to John Henry"Man ain't nothing but a manBut before I'd let that steam drill beat me downI'd die with an hammer in my hand hand handI'd die with an hammer in my hand!"John Henry had a little womanHer name was Polly AnneJohn Henry took sick and was laid up in bedWhile Polly handled steel like a man man manPolly handled steel like a man.They took John Henry to the graveyardLaid him down in the sandEvery locomotive comin' a-rolling by by byHollered "there lies a steel-drivin' man man manThere lies a steel-drivin' man!"
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