John Henry was a little baby boy, settin' on his mama's knee Had a nine pound hammer, hold it in his arms "Gonna be the death of me, mmm, mmm Gonna be the death of me Gonna be the death of me, mmm, mmm Gonna be the death of me" John Henry went to that Big Bend Tunnel, hammer in his hand John Henry was so small till that rock was so tall Laid down his hammer and he cried, oh partner Laid down his hammer and he cried Laid down his hammer and he cried Laid down his hammer and he cried John Henry asked his shaker, "Shaker, did you ever pray? 'Cause if I miss this piece of steel Tomorrow be your buryin' day, oh partner Tomorrow be your buryin' day Tomorrow be your buryin' day, (simultaneously) oh, part', oh, God Tomorrow be your buryin' day" "Who's gonna shoe your pretty little feet, who's gonna glove your little hand Baby, who's gonna kiss your rosy little cheeks When I'm in a distant land I'm in a distant land?" John Henry, he took sick and went to bed, sent for the doctor and he come Took a chair down the side of John Henry's bed, says "You sick and can't get well, oh partner Sick and can't get well"