The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
John Henry was just a little bitty boy
No bigger than the palm of your hand
His mammy looked down at John Henry and say
Johnny you're gonna be a steal drivin' man Lord lord
Johnny you're gonna be a steal drivin' man
John Henry he said to his Captain Captain I wanna hear you sing
I'll swing forty-nine pounds from my hips on down
I like to hear that cold steel ring Lord Lord I like to hear that cold steel ring
[ guitar ]
John Henry had a little woman and her name was Polly Ann
John Henry he got sick and he had to go to bed
But Polly drove the steel like a man Lord Lord Polly drove the steel like a man
John Henry went to the tunnel to drive steam hammer by his side
Well he beat that drill till the end of the tunnel
Laid down his hammer and he cried Lord Lord laid down his hammer and he cried
[ guitar - steel ]
John Henry drove the steel on that mountain till his hammer caught on fire
And the last words we heard John Henry say
Cool drink of water before I die Lord Lord a cool drink of water before I die
Well they took John Henry to the graveyard stuck him six feet under the sand
Everytime the freight train that go puffin' by
They say there lies a steel drivin' man Lord Lord yonder lies a steel drivin' man
No bigger than the palm of your hand
His mammy looked down at John Henry and say
Johnny you're gonna be a steal drivin' man Lord lord
Johnny you're gonna be a steal drivin' man
John Henry he said to his Captain Captain I wanna hear you sing
I'll swing forty-nine pounds from my hips on down
I like to hear that cold steel ring Lord Lord I like to hear that cold steel ring
[ guitar ]
John Henry had a little woman and her name was Polly Ann
John Henry he got sick and he had to go to bed
But Polly drove the steel like a man Lord Lord Polly drove the steel like a man
John Henry went to the tunnel to drive steam hammer by his side
Well he beat that drill till the end of the tunnel
Laid down his hammer and he cried Lord Lord laid down his hammer and he cried
[ guitar - steel ]
John Henry drove the steel on that mountain till his hammer caught on fire
And the last words we heard John Henry say
Cool drink of water before I die Lord Lord a cool drink of water before I die
Well they took John Henry to the graveyard stuck him six feet under the sand
Everytime the freight train that go puffin' by
They say there lies a steel drivin' man Lord Lord yonder lies a steel drivin' man
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
John Henry Lyrics as written by Pd Traditional J Baird
Lyrics © BRASSTACKS ALLIANCE, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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