The Ballad Of John Henry

Listen, in every heart there burns a flame For the love of glory or the dread of shame But, oh how happy we would be if we understood There is no safety but in doing good People out West heard of John Henry's death Couldn't hardly stay in bed Monday morning on the eastbound train Goin' where John Henry's dead Goin' where John Henry's dead Carried John Henry to the graveyard They looked at him good and long Very last words his wife said to him 'My husband he is dead and gone My husband he is dead and gone' John Henry's wife wore a brand new dress It was all trimmed in blue Very last words she said to him 'Honey, I bin good to you Honey, I bin good to you' John Henry told a shaker 'Lord, a-shake while I sing Pullin' a hammer from my shoulder Bound to hear her when she ring Bound to hear her when she ring' John Henry told his captain 'I am a Tennessee man Before I would see that steam drill beat me down Die with the hammer in my hand Die with the hammer in my hand John Henry hammered in the mountain Till the hammer caught on fire Very last words I heard him say 'A cool drink of water 'fore I die A cool drink of water 'fore I die'