This is the hammer that killed John Henry
But it won't kill me
No it won't kill me
No it won't kill me

Take this hammer and head to a captain
And tell him I'm gone
Won't you tell him I'm gone
Won't you tell him I'm gone

John Henry, he left his hammer
Laying 'side the road
Laying 'side the road
Laying 'side the road

John Henry, he left his hammer
All painted in red
All painted in red
All painted in red

John Henry, he left his hammer
Laying 'side the road
Won't you tell him I'm gone
Won't you tell him I'm gone

John Henry, he left his hammer
All painted in red
All painted in red
All painted in red