“O son, do the best you can, Lawd, Lawd.”
John Henry was a little boy
Sittin’ on his papa’s knee,
Looked down at a big piece o’ steel,
Saying, “Papa, that’ll be the death o’ me, Lawd, Lawd.”
John Henry had a pretty little woman,
The dress she wore was red,
She went down the track an’ never did look back,
Sayin’, “I’m goin’ where John Henry fell dead, Lawd, Lawd.”
John Henry had a pretty little girl,