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


[Chorus]
        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


[Chorus]
        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


[Chorus]
          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


[Chorus]
          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


[Chorus]
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)