New John Henry Blues - Bill Monroe

John Henry was a little colored boy

You could hold him on the palm of your hand

And his papa cried out this lonesome farewell

Son gonna be a steel drivin' man Lord Lord

Son gonna be a steel drivin' man

John Henry went upon the mountain

Looked down on the other side

Lord the mountain was so tall

John Henry was so small

He laid down his hammer and he cried Lord Lord

He laid down his hammer and he cried

John Henry walked to the top

Had his captain by his side

The last words that John Henry said

Bring me a cool drink of water 'fore I die Lord Lord

Bring a cool drink of water 'fore I die

Talk about John Henry as much as you please

Say and do all that you can

Never was born in these united states

Nonesuch a steel drivin' man Lord Lord

Nonesuch a steel drivin' man

John Henry told his captain

I want to go to bed

Fix me a pallet of straw to lay down

Got money roarin' in my head Lord Lord

Got money roarin' in my head