“Man ain’t nothin’ but a man.

Befo’ I work from sun to sun

I’d die wid de hammer in my han’.”

John Henry was a steel-drivin’ man,

Carried hammer all time in his han’;

Befo’ he let you beat him down

He’d die wid de hammer in his han’.

John Henry had a little girl,

Name was Polly Ann.

John Henry was on his dyin’ bed, O Lawd,