JOHN HENRY JUNIOR
Words, Merle Travis. Music, traditional: "John Henry."
As sung by Merle Travis on "Live (Recorded at San Francisco State College, 1965)"

1. Well, John Henry Junior wasn't nothin' like his dad.
He never worked a day in his life.
He slept in a pool room and bummed on the streets,
But he made his livin' shootin' dice, Lord, Lord.
He made his livin' shootin' dice.

2. Now John Henry Junior had a pretty little gal
Who would kneel with him down on the floor,
And holler: "Jody, pick the cotton in the forks o' the branch!"
Ever' time Junior rolled a four—little Joe—
Ever' time Junior rolled a four.

3. They was gamblin' one night in a back-joint room,
When the stakes they were mighty high,
When a big man he looked at little Junior and said:
"Gi' me back my money 'fore you die," Lord, Lord.
"Just gi' me back my money 'fore you die."

4. Well, John Henry Junior grabbed the money from the pot
And he headed out straight for the door,
But the big man caught him with a switchblade knife.
Now Junior won't gamble any more, poor boy.
Oh, Junior, he won't gamble any more.

5. Well, poor Junior's gal, when they told her the news,
Was hangin' out clo'es on the line.
She just shook her head and here's what she said:
"You can't roll a seven ever' time.
You can't roll a seven ever' time."

6. They buried John Henry Junior in the graveyard.
Well, they laid him down by his dad.
They put a tombstone between 'em; here's what it said:
"Here lies the good and the bad," Lord, Lord.
"Here lies the good and the bad."