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 


[Refrão]
 
        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 


[Refrão]
 
        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 


[Refrão]
 
          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 


[Refrão]

          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 


[Refrão]
 
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)