This Old Hammer
lyrics / about this song

chorus:

This old hammer killed John Henry
But it won't kill me, Lord
No, it won't kill me

verses:

When John Henry was a baby on his mama's knee
He picked up a hammer and steel
He said "This hammer's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord
This hammer's gonna be the death of me"

Well, the captain told John Henry "Gonna bring a steam drill 'round.
Gonna put that steam drill on the job
Just watch that steam drill drive that steel down, Lord, Lord
Just watch that steam drill drive that steel down"

John Henry told his people "A man is just a man,
But I can beat any trap that has ever been made
Or I'll die with my hammer in my hand, Lord, Lord
I'll die with my hammer in my hand"

John Henry just getting started, steam drill halfway down
John Henry said "You're ahead right now,
But I'll beat you on the last go-around, Lord, Lord
I'll beat you on the last go-around"

Well, the men who built that steam drill, they thought they were mighty fine
John Henry, he drove his fourteen feet
That steam drill, it only made nine, Lord, Lord
That steam drill, it only made nine

John Henry told his woman "Polly fix my bed.
I want to lie down and get some rest.
For I've got an awful roaring in my head, Lord, Lord
I've got an awful roaring in my head"

Now every train that leaves the station and heads into Big Bend
Blows a whistle for poor old John
In the tunnel you can hear his hammer ringing in the dark, Lord, Lord
You can hear his hammer ringing in the dark