John Henry Chords
by Hugh Laurie
John Henry by Hugh Laurie is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of C. It uses the chords C, Am and F. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
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)