[92] The “shaker” is the man who holds the drill upright and turns it between the strokes of the hammer.

I

John Henry told his captain,

“Hand me down my time,

I can make more money on Georgia Southern Road

Than I can on old Coast Line.”

John Henry told his captain,

“Man ain’t nothin’ but a man,

Befo’ I let you beat me drivin’ steel

I’d die wid de hammer in my han’.”