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

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

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

And they killed Joe Hill, put a bullet to his name
But that bullet made a martyr of the slain, Lord, Lord
Bullet made a martyr of the slain

And my grand daddy worked his whole damn life
He never saved a nickel though he tried, Lord, Lord
Never saved a nickel though he tried

And he died in Tennessee but he couldn't find no rest
With that long road to Texas lying ahead, Lord Lord
Long road to Texas lying ahead

Yes sir, I ain't no great man and Lord I expect to see
A long life, a working in your debt, Lord, Lord
Long life, a working in your debt

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

Copyright: BMG Rights Management
Writer(s): Justin Townes Earle