Sister gonna comb yo’ bangs;

Mama gonna kiss yo’ rosy cheeks,

John Henry gonna be yo’ man.”

John Henry had a little woman,

Name was Polly Ann;

John Henry got sick an’ couldn’t hit a lick,

Polly Ann hit steel like a man.

John Henry told his captain,

“Captain, when you go to town,

Oh, bring me back a nine-pound hammer