John Henry

John Henry is a song sung by the workers about John Henry himself.

Lyrics
Polly: Well, come on John, You're the one that we're depending on. Swing that hammer with all your might, I know you can show them how to do it right

Thomas: John Henry, John Henry, John Henry is a mighty man. Born with a hammer, A ten pound hammer, Workers: A twenty pound hammer right in his hand.

I heard John's mama liked to sew at night, So he pulled down the moon for a little bit of light. It took a lot of cooking to keep John fed, Ten dozen eggs and eight loves of bread.

John Henry, John Henry, John Henry is a mighty man. Born with a hammer, born with a hammer, Born with a hammer right in his hand.

He plowed the earth so wide and deep, The seed he sowed the ground had to keep. His hammer hit the earth with such a mighty blow, Everything he planted would jump up and grow.

John Henry, John Henry, John Henry is a powerful man. Thomas: All our lives we've been so poor, John let me show you what we're working for.

Workers: Canaan Land, Canaan Land, Everybody workin' for the Canaan Land. Home and freedom hand in hand, Workin' for the Canaan Land.

Oh, movin' on down the line, John Henry came right on time. Movin' on down the line, John Henry came right on time.

Home and freedom hand in hand, Workin' for the Canaan Land.

John Henry, John Henry, John Henry is a mighty man. John Henry, John Henry, John Henry is a powerful man.

Steel drivin' man, John Henry was. Steel drivin' man, Oh yes he was. So proud, defiant, A gentle giant, A steel drivin' natural man.

Polly: Well, a-come on, John, You're the one that we're dependin' on. Swing that hammer, bust that rock, Come on, give it everything you've got.

Workers: John Henry, John Henry, John Henry is a mighty man. Born with a hammer, born with a hammer, Born with a hammer right in his hand.

John and the drill made the valley shake, Rumblin' almost caused an earthquake. Thunder and lightning was everywhere, Oh, Lord, that battle was beyond compare.

John Henry, John Henry, John Henry is a powerful man. Born with a hammer, born with a hammer, Born with a hammer right in his hand.