John Henry
Furry Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cryin', "That Big Bend tunnel on that YMV, it's gon' be the death of me, 'fore I die
Lord, it's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord, says it's gon'"
When John Henry hammered in the mountain 'til the head of his hammer caught fire
He cried, "Y'all just pick 'em up and let 'em down again
Just give me one cool drink of water 'fore I die, Lord, Lord
Just give me one cool drink of water."
Spoken: You know, one time John Henry had a job to do, one time, Red
He's the best at it, people say that awful day will surely come, that's funny
how it would make it
Said I'm goin' where John Henry fell dead
When the women in the West heard of John Henry's death, they couldn't sleep at home in their beds
Some was dressed in white, some was dressed in red, said
"Take me where John Henry fell dead, baby, please take me (guitar finishes line)
I'm goin' where John Henry fell dead, baby", he said, "Lord knows I'm goin' where
John Henry fell dead, dead, I'm goin' where John Henry" (guitar finishes line)
John Henry told his captain one day, "You can give me my time
I can make more money on that C & O than I can on that IC line, Lord knows, than I can"
Spoken: You know, one time John Henry had a piker, he had to hold a little piece of steel
just 'bout that tall, he told his piker to hold that steel, he said
What's gonna happen?", Booker, he says, "I'm goin' down, I'm gonna drive some steel today."
I'm goin' where John Henry sat all dead
John Henry told his piker, "I 'clare you better pray
If I miss this steel with this 10 pound mawl, tomorrow gon' be your buryin' day, goddamn, haha
The lyrics to Furry Lewis' song, "John Henry," tell the story of a legendary figure in American folklore. John Henry is said to have been a railroad worker who became famous for his strength and skill with a hammer. In the first verse, we find him as a little baby boy, crying about the Big Bend tunnel, which he fears will be the death of him. The second verse tells of John Henry's skill as a hammer-man, a trade that earns him respect among his peers. He works tirelessly in the mountain until his hammer catches fire. Even in his exhaustion, he asks only for a cool drink of water before he dies.
The third and fourth verses deal with the aftermath of John Henry's death. His passing is mourned by women throughout the West, who dress in white and red and implore their loved ones to take them where he fell. The final verse tells of John Henry's pride and his refusal to work on the Illinois Central Railroad, preferring instead to work on the C & O line. The song ends with John Henry warning his piker that he had better pray as he swings his ten-pound maul.
"John Henry" is a complex song that tells a vivid story of a folk hero. It touches on themes of mortality, hard work, and pride. Furry Lewis' raspy voice lends a sense of authenticity to the story, as though he had known John Henry himself. The song speaks to the mythic quality of this historical figure, whose strength and skill continue to fascinate generations of Americans.
Line by Line Meaning
John Henry was a little baby boy, settin' at home on his mother's knee
John Henry was a young boy, sitting on his mother's lap at home.
Cryin', "That Big Bend tunnel on that YMV, it's gon' be the death of me, 'fore I die
Lord, it's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord, says it's gon'"
John Henry expresses his fear that he will die like many others while constructing the dangerous Big Bend Tunnel on the YMV track.
When John Henry hammered in the mountain 'til the head of his hammer caught fire
He cried, "Y'all just pick 'em up and let 'em down again
Just give me one cool drink of water 'fore I die, Lord, Lord
Just give me one cool drink of water."
John Henry worked tirelessly to hammer through the mountains, even as his hammer overheated. He asks for a drink of water to refresh himself.
Spoken: You know, one time John Henry had a job to do, one time, Red
He's the best at it, people say that awful day will surely come, that's funny
how it would make it
A narration tells of how John Henry was a skilled worker, but rumors persisted of his impending tragedy.
Said I'm goin' where John Henry fell dead
The artist declares their intention to visit the place where John Henry died.
When the women in the West heard of John Henry's death, they couldn't sleep at home in their beds
Some was dressed in white, some was dressed in red, said
"Take me where John Henry fell dead, baby, please take me (guitar finishes line)
I'm goin' where John Henry fell dead, baby", he said, "Lord knows I'm goin' where
John Henry fell dead, dead, I'm goin' where John Henry" (guitar finishes line)
When women in the West heard of John Henry's death, they couldn't rest and wanted to go to the place where he died, some dressed in white and some in red. The singer also expresses their desire to go there as well.
John Henry told his captain one day, "You can give me my time
I can make more money on that C & O than I can on that IC line, Lord knows, than I can"
John Henry tells his captain that he can make more money working on the C & O track than on the IC line.
Spoken: You know, one time John Henry had a piker, he had to hold a little piece of steel
just 'bout that tall, he told his piker to hold that steel, he said
What's gonna happen?", Booker, he says, "I'm goin' down, I'm gonna drive some steel today."
I'm goin' where John Henry sat all dead
A narration tells of how John Henry instructed his piker to hold a steel piece while he worked, and although the piker feared for his life, John Henry encouraged him. The artist reiterates their intention to go to the place where John Henry died.
John Henry told his piker, "I 'clare you better pray
If I miss this steel with this 10 pound mawl, tomorrow gon' be your buryin' day, goddamn, haha
John Henry warns his piker that he should pray because if he misses hammering the steel, he will be responsible for the piker's death.
Contributed by Sophie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mississippisheik1
This is the song my grampa used to sing to me when I was a kid visiting my grandparents here in Danville, VA. It's ironic that this was recorded in Sun Studios. I had the opportunity hear Sam Phillips son, Knox, at a Howlin' Wolf symposium at UNC along with co-speaker Pete Guarlnik and Knox explained that his Dad was able to get the very best out of all the artists when they came in Sun. This is testimony right here. Great recording, thank you
@jimwesson7896
it may have been released on cd in 92 but I bought "shake'em on down" (the silver album) as a double LP in 72 for $0.35 and wore it out.
@ruthdixon7807
furry was born in 1893, received his first good guitar from "father of the blues" W.C handy, lost a leg while hoboing, made distinctive memphis blues recordings in the 1920s, swept the city's streets for decades and was rediscovered by white blues fans in the 1960s - when he enjoyed a second career opening for the rolling stones and appearing in burt reynolds films.
@nancy7167
ok im from memphis and this is it
@Mockingbird_Lane
Picture gives me chills.
@MyMoppet52
"John Henry" long version. The vocals of these songs show how much Furry Lewis' voice had improved over the years he was "forgotten". He was found cleaning streets in Memphis during the blues revival of the early '60's. He came back sounding more mellow, more relaxed, and enjoyed performing more than ever. (He was much like Mississippi in this respect.) This 'John Henry' is from the "Shake 'Em Down' " cd which was released in 1992 but was recorded in 1961, shortly after Furry Lewis was 'rediscovered'. ENJOY!!!
@MyMoppet52
@edw39I Thank you so much for updating me. I really appreciate the fact that listeners help out with my mistakes. I've removed "Live" from the description and tag. I got two records mixed up and I'm very sorry because I want to be accurate. I think this long version of John Henry is wonderful & does have wonderful sound. Thanks for commenting & please jump in at any time when you see a needed correction. Thanks again, Moppet (Barbara)
@idrissaaw6947
Léélé américain
@celestialroad
just 1 cool drink of water before i die
@idrissaaw6947
C'est le léélé américain