John Henry
Leadbelly & Sonny Terry Lyrics

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John Henry was about three days old,
Sittin' on his papa's knee.
He picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel;
Said, "Hammer's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord.
Hammer's gonna be the death of me."
The captain said to John Henry
"Gonna bring that steam drill 'round.
Gonna bring that steam drill out on the job.

Gonna whop that steel on down. Down,
Down.
Whop that steel on down."
John Henry told his captain,
"A man ain't nothin' but a man,
But before I let your steam drill beat me
Down,
I'd die with a hammer in my hand. Lord,
Lord.
I'd dies with a hammer in my hand."
John Henry said to his shaker,
"Shaker, why don't you sing?
I'm throwin' thirty pounds from my hips on
Down.
Just listen to that cold steel ring. Lord, Lord.
Listen to that cold steel ring."
The man that invented the stream drill
Thought he was mighty fine,
But John Henry made fifteen feet;
The steam drill only made nine. Lord, Lord.
The steam drill only made nine.
John Henry hammered in the mountain
His hammer was striking fire.
But he worked so hard, he broke his poor
Heart.
He laid down his hammer and he died. Lord,
Lord.
He laid down his hammer and he died.
John Henry had a little woman.
Her name was Polly Ann.
John Henry took sick and went to his bed.
Polly Ann drove steel like a man. Lord,
Lord.
Polly Ann drove steel like a man.
John Henry had a little baby.
You could hold him in the palm of your
Hand.
The last words I heard that poor boy say,
"My daddy was steel-driving man. Lord,
Lord.
My daddy was a steel-driving."
Well, every Monday morning
When the bluebirds begin to sing.
You can hear John Henry a mile or more.
You can hear John Henry's hammer ring.

Lord, Lord.
You can hear John Henry's hammer ring.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "John Henry" tell the story of a legendary African American folk hero named John Henry, who was known for his strength and skill as a steel driver. The song begins by describing John Henry as a young child sitting on his father's knee. Even at such a young age, John Henry is intrigued by the hammer and piece of steel, expressing a premonition that the hammer will one day be his downfall. This sets the stage for the central theme of the song, which explores the conflict between man and machine.

As the story progresses, John Henry grows up and becomes a steel driver working on the railroad. The captain, representing the advance of technology, brings a steam drill to the job site, confident that it will outperform the human labor of John Henry. Undeterred, John Henry stands up to his captain, asserting that he is not just any man and that he would rather die with a hammer in his hand than be defeated by the steam drill.

John Henry takes on the challenge of competing against the steam drill, and his determination and physical prowess allow him to outwork the machine. Despite the steam drill's inventor feeling proud of his creation, John Henry is able to hammer twice as fast, making a significant impact in their race. However, the strain of his intense labor ultimately takes its toll on John Henry, and his heart gives out. He dies, leaving behind a legacy of strength, determination, and a grieving wife named Polly Ann.

The final verse reveals that John Henry had a baby, who expresses pride in his father's legacy as a steel-driving man. The song closes with the mention of John Henry's hammer ringing out every Monday morning when the bluebirds sing, symbolizing his enduring spirit and the impact he had on those who remember him. The lyrics of "John Henry" illustrate the timeless struggle between man and machine and celebrate the resilience and hard work of the human spirit.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J BAIRD, PD TRADITIONAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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