Dave Van Ronk — Spike Driver Blues

This is the hammer that killed John Henry But it won't kill me, but it won't kill me But it won't kill me Take this hammer and carry it to my captain Tell him I'm gone, won't you tell him I'm gone Won't you tell him where I'm gone? John Henry, he left his hammer Layin' 'side the road, layin' 'side the road Layin' 'side the road John Henry, he left his hammer Painted in red, all painted in red All painted in red Take this hammer and carry it to my captain Tell him I'm gone, won't you tell him I'm gone Tell him I'm gone