John Henry had a woman Polly Ann, Polly Ann John Henry had a woman Polly Ann, Polly Ann When John was sick, Polly drove steel Like a man, like a man When John was sick, Polly drove steel Like a man, Lord, like a man "Polly can you lift that hammer?" "Yes I can, Yes I can" "I can swing it, I can strike it" "Harder than any man can" When Polly had a small baby On her knee, on her knee Grabbed a hammer in her left hand "Ain't no one as strong as me" This little hammer killed John Henry Won't kill me, won't kill me This little hammer killed your daddy Throw it down and we'll be free