John Henry

John Henry was a little baby
Sittin' on his daddy's knee
Got the Big Bend Tunnel on the C&O route
It's a-gonna be the death of me
It's a-gonna be the death of me

John Henry put a hole up in the wall
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 rumbling
Thought the tunnel might be falling in
John Henry said, "There's nothing in the world
But my steel hammer, horse, and the wind
But my steel hammer, horse, and the wind"

John Henry said to his shaker
"Boy, you better pray
If ever I miss this six-foot deal
Tomorrow'll be a burying day
Tomorrow'll be a burying day"

John Henry had a little woman
Her name was Julie Ann
He hugged her, he kissed her before he died
Said, "Oh Julie, do the best you can
Oh Julie, do the best you can"