The Dog Faced Hermans was a five-piece band whose style could be described … Read Full Bio ↴The Dog Faced Hermans was a five-piece band whose style could be described as anarcho-punk incorporating folk and noise influences as well as unorthodox instrumentation. Formed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1986 but later operated in Amsterdam. Disbanded in 1995, members of the Dog Faced Hermans moved on to other notable projects including the Canadian ensemble Rhythm Activism and Holland's The Ex, with whom they collaborated and were closely affiliated. Of their albums, the only ones still in print are Bump And Swing and Those Deep Buds, on San Francisco's Alternative Tentacles label.

Marion Coutts - vocalist, trumpet, bells
Colin Mclean - bass, guitar, steel drum
Wilf Plum - drums, scrap metal, foghorn
Andy Moor - guitar, viola, "hippo tube"
Gert-Jan - live sound

John Henry
Dog Faced Hermans Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

John Henry when he was a baby
Sitting on his mothers knee
Saw a hammer and a little piece of steel
Said "Hammer'll be the death of me, Lord
Hammer'll be the death of me"

Well now some say he was born down in Texas
Some say he was born in Maine

Well I don't give a damn where that poor boy was born
Leader of a steel driving chain gang
Leader of a steel driving gang

Now the captain said to John Henry
"I'm gonna bring that steel drill round
Gonna bring that steel drill out of on the job
Whop all that steel on down, Lord
Whop all that steel on down"

John Henry said to his shaker
"Now shaker, why don't you sing?
'Cause I'm bringing twelve pounds from my hips on down
Listen to that cold steel ring, Lord
Listen to that cold steel ring"

John Henry said to his captain
"A man ain't nothing but a man
Gonna beat that steam drill out on the job
Or I'll die with my hammer in my hand, Lord
Die with my hammer in my hand"

John Henry hammered on the mountain
Till his hammer was striking fire
He drove so hard, he broke his poor heart

Laid down his hammer and he died Lord
Laid down his hammer and he died

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Dog Faced Hermans's song "John Henry" tell the story of a legendary figure named John Henry who was known for his strength and his prowess as a steel driver. The song opens with John Henry as a baby, observing a hammer and a piece of steel. He prophetically declares that the hammer will be the death of him.

The lyrics then mention conflicting accounts of where John Henry was born, emphasizing that it doesn't matter because he became the leader of a steel driving chain gang regardless. The captain of the chain gang challenges John Henry, telling him that he will bring a steel drill to the job and beat all the steel down. John Henry responds by instructing his "shaker" to sing, as he confidently asserts his strength and determination. He then tells his captain that a man is nothing but a man and he will either beat the steam drill or die with his hammer in his hand.

The final verse describes John Henry's incredible efforts, as he hammers on the mountain until his tool begins to emit sparks. He drives so hard that he breaks his own heart, ultimately leading to his death. The song portrays John Henry as a symbol of perseverance, strength, and ultimate sacrifice in the face of industrialization and the steam drill.

Line by Line Meaning

John Henry when he was a baby
As a young child, John Henry showed an early fascination with tools and equipment.

Sitting on his mothers knee
While sitting on his mother's lap, John Henry observed the world around him.

Saw a hammer and a little piece of steel
He noticed a hammer along with a small metal object, arousing his curiosity.

Said 'Hammer'll be the death of me, Lord
Recognizing the power and danger of the hammer, John Henry prophetically expressed his fate.

Hammer'll be the death of me'
He believed that his association with the hammer would ultimately lead to his demise.

Well now some say he was born down in Texas
There are conflicting opinions on the exact birthplace of John Henry, with some asserting Texas as his origin.

Some say he was born in Maine
Contrarily, others claim that John Henry's birth occurred in Maine.

Well I don't give a damn where that poor boy was born
The artist dismisses any significance regarding John Henry's birthplace, emphasizing the more important aspects of his life.

Leader of a steel driving chain gang
Irrespective of his birthplace, John Henry assumed a leadership role within a group of laborers tasked with driving steel.

Leader of a steel driving gang
He served as the authoritative figure in a dedicated team of workers focused on driving steel.

Now the captain said to John Henry
In a conversation between the captain and John Henry, the captain addresses him.

"I'm gonna bring that steel drill round
The captain declares his intention to bring a steel drill to the worksite.

Gonna bring that steel drill out of on the job
He plans to utilize the drill successfully during their work.

Whop all that steel on down, Lord
The captain aims to make significant progress and drive the steel down with force, seeking divine assistance.

Whop all that steel on down"
The captain restates his determination to vigorously drive the steel downwards.

John Henry said to his shaker
John Henry initiates a conversation with his work partner, the shaker.

"Now shaker, why don't you sing?
He questions why the shaker is not expressing himself through song during their work.

'Cause I'm bringing twelve pounds from my hips on down
John Henry explains that he combines his strength and power, exerting tremendous force from his hips downwards.

Listen to that cold steel ring, Lord
He urges the shaker to pay attention and appreciate the resonating sound produced by their work with the cold steel.

Listen to that cold steel ring"
John Henry reiterates the desire for the shaker to truly listen and embrace the sharp, metallic sound.

John Henry said to his captain
John Henry engages in a conversation with the captain once again.

"A man ain't nothing but a man
He expresses his belief that regardless of status or position, every individual is ultimately human.

Gonna beat that steam drill out on the job
John Henry asserts his determination to surpass the steam drill's performance during their work.

Or I'll die with my hammer in my hand, Lord
He declares that he would rather face death while holding his trusty hammer than to be defeated by the steam drill.

Die with my hammer in my hand"
John Henry emphasizes his willingness to fight till the end, gripping his hammer until his last breath.

John Henry hammered on the mountain
Continuing his laborious efforts, John Henry passionately wielded his hammer against the mountainous terrain.

Till his hammer was striking fire
He hammered with such intensity that sparks ignited from the impact of his tool.

He drove so hard, he broke his poor heart
John Henry pushed himself to the limits, exerting a tremendous amount of physical effort, even to the point of causing his own demise.

Laid down his hammer and he died Lord
In his final moments, John Henry relinquished his hammer and succumbed to death.

Laid down his hammer and he died
Having completed his work and achieved his ultimate purpose, John Henry peacefully passed away, leaving behind a legacy of strength and determination.

Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Andrew Moor

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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