An’ he carried her in the palm of his han’,
He hug an’ kiss her an’ bid her farewell
An’ told her do the bes’ she can.
Chorus:
John Henry was a steel-drivin’ man,
John Henry was a steel-drivin’ man,
John Henry was a steel-drivin’ man,
John Henry was a steel-drivin’ man.
John Henry was a little boy
Sittin’ on his mother’s knee,