GONNA DIE WITH MY HAMMER IN MY HAND
The Williamson Brothers and Curry
(also included in Harry Smith's Anthology). Please, help complete and correct this text. Thanks. R

John Henry, he told his Captain:
Man ain't nothin' but a man
Before I'll be beaten by this old steam drill
Lord, I'll die with my hammer in my hand, Lord, Lord
Lord, I'll die with my hammer in my hand

John Henry, he told his Captain:
Captain, how can it be
The Big Bend tunnel on the C and O road
Gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord
Gonna be the death of me

John Henry had a little hammer
Handle was made of …
Everytime …
….
…

John Henry, he told his Shaker:
Shaker you better pray
For if I miss this little piece of steel
Tomorrow'll be your burying day, Lord, Lord
Tomorrow'll be your burying day

John Henry had but one only child
Had him in the palm of his hand
The very last words John Henry said:
Son, don't be a steel drivin' man, Lord, Lord
Son, don't be a steel drivin' man

John Henry had a little woman
Her name was Sally Ann
John Henry got sick and he could not work
Sally drove the steel like a man, Lord, Lord
Sally drove the steel like a man