So I can drive this steel on down.”

John Henry was a little boy

Settin’ on his papa’s knee,

Say, “The tunnel on the L. & N.

Gonna be the death o’ po’ me.”

John Henry had a little girl,

Name was Nellie Ann;

John Henry took sick an’ had to go home,

Every day po’ Nellie drove steel like a man.

John Henry had a little pistol,