John Henry was a little baby boy, settin' on his mama's knee
Had a nine pound hammer, hold it in his arms
"Gonna be the death of me, mmm,mmm
Gonna be the death of me
Gonna be the death of me, mmm, mmm
Gonna be the death of me."

John Henry went to that Big Bend Tunnel, hammer in his hand
John Henry was so small 'til that rock was so tall
Laid down his hammer and he cried, oh partner
Laid down his hammer and he cried
Laid down his hammer and he cried
Laid down his hammer and he cried

John Henry asked his shaker, "Shaker, did you ever pray?
'Cause if I miss this piece of steel
Tomorrow be your buryin' day, oh partner
Tomorrow be your buryin' day
Tomorrow be your buryin' day, (simultaneously) oh, part', oh, God
Tomorrow be your buryin' day."

"Who's gonna shoe your pretty little feet, who's gonna glove your little hand
Baby, who's gonna kiss your rosy little cheeks
When I'm in a distant land
I'm in a distant land?"
John Henry, he took sick and went to bed,sent for the doctor and he come
Took a chair down the side of John Henry's bed, says
"You sick and can't get well, oh partner
Sick and can't get well."