John Henry was a man o’ might,
John Henry was a man o’ might,
John Henry was a man o’ might,
He beat de iron man down.
John Henry had a hammer han,’[93]
An’ he beat de iron man down.
“Lawd, Lawd, boss,” he cried,
“De iron man too much fo’ me.”
An’ dey laid John Henry low,
He won’t swing dat hammer no mo’.