It was early one mornin'
and it looked like ra-a-ain
when around that curve, boy,
I spied a gravel train.
Oh, my little John Henry--
he got a mighty know.
Oh, my little John Henry--
he got a mighty know.

I got a woman in Dallas--
work at the Baker Hotel--
some folks call her Maggie,
real name is Katie Bell.
Oh, my little John Henry--
he got a mighty know.
Oh, my little John Henry--
he got a mighty know.

It was early one mornin'(it was early one mornin')
and it looked like ra-a-ain (oh, it looked like rain)
when around that curve, boy,
I spied a gravel train.
Oh, my little John Henry--
he got a mighty know.
I said, my little John Henry--
he got a mighty know.
He got a mighty know.
He got a mighty know.
He got a mighty, mighty know.