They Killed John Henry

[Verse 1]

Well, when John Henry died he lay lookin' at the sun

He said Lord, take me now my work is done, Lord, Lord

Lord take me now my work is done

[Verse 2]

Yeah, but when they laid him out in that box of pine, boy

They laid that hammer by his side, Lord, Lord

Laid that hammer by his side

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 3]

Yeah, and Joe Hill he worked any job he could find, boy

He'd rake your leaves and pick your vine, Lord, Lord

Rake your leaves and pick your vine

[Verse 4]

Yeah, and they killed Joe Hill, put a bullet to his name

But that bullеt made a martyr of the slain, Lord, Lord

Bullet madе a martyr of the slain

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 5]

Yeah, and my grand daddy worked his whole damn life

Well, he never saved a nickel though he tried, Lord, Lord

Never saved a nickel though he tried

[Verse 6]

And he died in Tennessee but he couldn't find no rest

With that long road to Texas lie ahead, Lord Lord

Long road to Texas lie ahead

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 7]

Yes sir, I ain't no great man and Lord I expect to see

A long life of workin' in your debt, Lord, Lord

A long life of workin' in your debt

[Hook]

They killed John Henry, they killed John Henry

They killed John Henry but they won't kill me, Lord

They killed John Henry, they killed John Henry

They killed John Henry but they won't kill me