[Verse 1]
Henry got a letter
Said his mother was dead
Put his children on a passenger train
He gonna ride the blinds, Lordy
He gonna ride the blinds

[Verse 2]
Henry looked down the railroad track
Saw the steel driver comin' down
'Fore I let that steel driver beat me down
Die with a hammer in my hand
I'm gonna die with a hammer in my hand

[Verse 3]
Henry went on the mountaintop
Give his horn a blow
Last words his captain said
"John Henry was a natural man
John Henry was a natural man"

[Verse 4]
Henry had a woman
The dress she wore was red
Run on down that railroad track
Goin' where John Henry fell dead
Yes, I'm goin' where John Henry fell dead
[Verse 5]
Henry had a baby boy
Holdin' his mama's hand
Last words that poor boy said
"Gonna learn to be a steel drivin' man
Yes, I'll learn to be a steel drivin' man"