The night was black, the moon was red 
There were no stars in the sky 
A hounddog bayed, cayotes howled 
Let me tell you why 

Lightning bolted from the clouds 
Thunder pounded the earth 
The trees, they started to quiver on the evening of John Henry's birth 

His voice was deep, his arms were strong 
Took a hammer in his hand 
His mammy and his pappy knew from the start 
That he'd be a steel drivin' man 

Can't you hear those hammers ring 
Can't you hear the song they sing 
Ain't no other sound so fine 
John Henry was a friend of mine 
Can't you hear those hammers ring 
Can't you hear the song they sing 
Ain't no other sound so fine 
John Henry was a friend of mine 

He married pretty Polly, but he could not settle down 
Together they roamed West Virginia 
For the C&O he was bound 

Captain Tommy took on look at John 
Gonna make you a steel drivin' man 
John Henry started swingin' 
Twelve pound hammers in each of his hands 

Word spread like wildfire 'bout this giant of a man 
His reputation grew near and far 
All across the land 

Can't you hear those hammers ring 
Can't you hear the song they sing 
Ain't no other sound so fine 
John Henry was a friend of mine 

He never seemed to tire, his work made him feel proud 
Swingin' those hammers up and down 
The ring was steel was so loud 

John took on a challenge against a steam drillin' machine 
Breakin' rock for nine hours, a feat like you've never seen 

And though John Henry won the match 
He dropped to the ground 
Took his hammers to heaven 
Yes, he was glory bound 

Can't you hear 
Can't you hear those hammers ring 
Can't you hear the song they sing 
Ain't no other sound so fine 
John Henry was a friend of mine 

Can't you hear those hammers ring 
Can't you hear the song they sing 
Ain't no other sound so fine 
John Henry was a friend of mine