John Henry
'Little' Jimmy Dickens Lyrics
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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"
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
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
In "John Henry," Little Jimmy Dickens tells the story of a little boy named John Henry, who picks up a hammer and piece of steel when sitting on his mother's knee. The lyrics denote that John Henry was confident in his ability to use this hammer and steel effectively, without understanding the consequences. It's also clear that he was determined to become a steel-driving man. As John Henry ages, he matures into a strong steel-driving man who works hard day and night to drive steel all across the land. John's determined and hardworking character is revealed when he chooses to die with his hammer in his hand rather than give up to the steam drill.
Line by Line Meaning
John Henry was a little bitty boy sittin' on his mommy's knee
John Henry was a small boy sitting on his mother's lap.
When he picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel
He picked up a hammer and a small piece of metal.
This hammer'd be a death of me
Lord, Lord, this hammer'd be a death of me
He believed that the hammer would cause him to die, and he expressed this belief multiple times.
John Henry was a little bitty boy, no bigger than a palm of your hand
John Henry was very small, small enough to fit in the palm of a hand.
When his mommy looked at him proudly and said
"My Johnny'll be a steal drivin' man"
Lord, Lord, hey Johnn' will be a steal drivin' man
His mother looked at him proudly and said that he would work as a steel driver when he grew up.
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 was a steel driver who worked hard, and he vowed to die with his hammer in his hand rather than let the steam drill defeat him.
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
He worked alongside the steam drill and, when he saw that it would defeat him, he laid down his hammer and cried.
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 climbed up a mountain and looked across, and he asked for a drink of water before he died.
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
John Henry had a wife named Polly Ann, and the last thing he said was to encourage her to work like a man.
Contributed by Julian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@LyonsArcade
Less than 5 feet tall but the only man I've ever seen have a band with 3 guitars, 2 bass, two pedal steels, a piano player and two drum sets :)
@kadecox7591
It was most likely the studio band and his band. The studio band probably turned down all they’re instruments and acted like they were playing long. Otherwise you’d hear the other bass, piano, electric and steel guitar
@soniaregina1663
LOVELY song 😻 ! PS: no lyrics... so sad 😔 ! GREETINGS FROM BRAZIL nas TKANS for sharing ✌ !
@missbritt288
Little man .... with a very big guitar
@Josephs-Rocknroll-Adventures
🎵🎙
@chelseaschultz8936
John Henry was my grandpa name I just had a son 1/6/2020 I named him John Henry after my dad and grandpa. 😪
@Damaged.Films91
Those shoes are everything
@SuperOlds88
Who is playing steel? I wonder how old Paul is in this thing?
@benjaminarmstrong7047
Git it Tater!
@TheRacboys
Tv and little Jimmy same size lol