Odetta - John Henry lyrics

John Henry was a little baby Sittin; on his momma's knee Said, "The Big Bend Tunnel on the C & O Road Is gonna be the d**h of me, Lord Be the d**h of me." When John Henry was a little baby Sittin' on his poppa's knee He took a hammer, a little piece of steel Said, "Hammer's gonna be the d**h of me, Lord, Lord Hammer's gonna be the d**h of me." John Henry had a little woman Her name was Mary Magdalene Every day she would sing for John Henry Just to hear his hammer when it swing, Lord Just to hear his hammer when it swing And now the captain he says to John Henry "I'm gonna bring that steam drill round I'm gonna bring that steam drill out on the job "I'm gonna whop that steel on down." John Henry said to his captain "I know a man ain't nothin' but a man But before I'll let your steam drill beat me down I'll die with my hammer in my hand, Lord I'll die with my hammer in my hand John Henry said to his shaker "Shaker, why don't you sing? And now I'm throwin' forty pounds from my hip on down Listen to the cold steel ring, Lawdy, Lawdy Listen to the cold steel ring." John Henry said to his captain "Looky yonder what I see-- Steam drill broke, your hole done choke You can't drive steel like me, Lord You can't drive steel like me." John Henry a-workin' on the mountain Hammer was a-strikin' fire But he worked so hard it broke his poor heart He laid down his hammer and he died, Lawdy He lad down his hammer and he died Now momma's gonna shoe my pretty little feet Poppy gonna glove my hand Sister gonna kiss my red, ruby lips I don't need no man, Lawdy, Lawdy Not after my steel-drivin' man, Lawdy, Lawdy Not after my steel-drivin' man