Peg Leg Howell — John Henry

John Henry was a little boy Put him in your hand Sat upon his father's knees Said he gon' be-"I'll be a steel driving -- And I'm bound to be a steel driving man" Send John Henry to the Colorado Mountain Lot'a steel to drive John Henry so low and the mountain so tall He laid down his hammer and cried Laid down his hammer and he cried Henry said to shaker, "shaker you better pray If I miss this six-foot steel Tomorrow be you're burring day Tomorrow be you're burring day" So they sent John Henry to the Colorado Mountain Lot'a steel to drive John Henry so low and the mountain so tall He laid down his hammer and cried Laid down his hammer and he cried John Henry had a lovin' wife Her name were Polly Ann Hen' took sick and had to go on Ann worked steel like a man Ann worked steel like a man John Henry had a lovin' wife Took a heap of strength She put down the hammer, and the hammer, Lord, it ring Lord, who heard the hammer ring Who heard the hammer ring