It was early one mornin'
And it looked like ra-a-ain
When around that curve, boy
I spied a gravel train
Oh, my little John Henry--
He got a mighty know
Oh, my little John Henry--
He got a mighty know

I got a woman in Dallas--
Work at the Baker Hotel--
Some folks call her Maggie
Real name is Katie Bell
Oh, my little John Henry--
He got a mighty know
Oh, my little John Henry--
He got a mighty know

It was early one mornin'(it was early one mornin')
And it looked like ra-a-ain (oh, it looked like rain)
When around that curve, boy
I spied a gravel train
Oh, my little John Henry--
He got a mighty know
I said, my little John Henry--
He got a mighty know
He got a mighty know
He got a mighty know
He got a mighty, mighty know