John Henry Lyrics - Little Jimmy Dickens

John Henry was a little bitty boy sittin' on his mommy's knee 

When he picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel 

This hammer'd be a death of me Lord Lord this hammer'd be a death of me 

John Henry was a little bitty boy no bigger than a palm of your hand 

When his mommy looked at him proudly and said 

My Johnny'll be a steal drivin' man Lord lord hey Johnny'll be a steal drivin' man 

[ fiddle ] 

John Henry was a steel drivin' man drove steel all through the land 

Before he would let that steam drill beat him down 

He'd die with the hammer in his hand Lord lord he'd die with the hammer in his hand 

John Henry went to the tunnel drive steam drill was by his side 

Before he would let that steam drill beat him down 

He laid down his hammer and he cried Lord Lord he laid down his hammer and he cried 

[ steel ] 

John Henry went up on the mountain and he looked down on the other side 

And the last words I heard poor old John Henry said 

A cool drink of water before I die Lord Lord cool drink of water before I die 

John Henry had a little woman and her name was Polly Ann 

And the last words I heard poor old John Henry said 

Polly drive that steel like a man Lord Lord Polly drive that steel like a man