John Henry told his captain, "Man ain't nothin' but a man Before I'd be driven by this old steam drill, I'm gonna Die with my hammer in my hands, Lord, Lord, Gonna die with a hammer in my hands." John Henry told his captain, "Captain, how can it be? The Big Bend Tunnel on that C & O road is Gonna be the death (last) of me, Lord, Lord, Gonna be the death of me." John Henry had a little hammer Handle was made of oak Every time he hit that rail on the head Hammer laid just down and broke, Lord, Lord Hammer laid just down and broke John Henry told his shaker, "Shaker, you better pray For if I miss this six-foot steel Tommorow'll be your buryin' day, Lord, Lord Tomorrow'll be your buryin' day." John Henry had but one only child Fit in the palm of your hand The very last words John Henry said, "Son, don't be a steel-drivin' man, Lord, Lord, Son, don't be a steel-drivin' man." John Henry had a little woman Her name was Sally Ann John Henry got sick and he could not work Sally drove the steel like a man, Lord, Lord, Sally drove the steel like a man