verse 1
C
John Henry had a little woman
And the dress she wore was red
Am
She walked down the track
F
She never looked back
Am F
I'm going where John Henry fell dead
Am C
I'm going where John Henry fell dead
verse 2
C
John Henry had another woman
And her name was Polly Anne
Am
John Henry was taken sick
F
And he had to go to bed
Am F
Polly Anne drove steel like a man
Am C
Polly Anne drove steel like a man
verse 3
C
John Henry told his little woman
Honey fix my supper soon
Am
I got ninety-nine miles
F
Of track I wanna line back
Am F
I'm gonna line 'em by the light of the moon
Am C
I'm gonna line 'em by the light of the moon
verse 4
C
John Henry said to his captain
You know a man ain't nothin' but a man
Am F
I'm bettin' right now you won't beat me down
Am F
I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand
Am C
I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand
Verse 5
C
John Henry hammered in the mountain
Until his hammer caught on fire
Am F
The last word's I heard that the poor boy said
Am F
Give me a cool drink of water before I die
Am C
Give me a cool drink of water before I die (x3)