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 ♪ 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 layin' ahead, Lord Lord Long road to Texas layin' ahead ♪ Yes sir, I ain't no great man and Lord I expect to see A long life, a workin' in your debt, Lord, Lord Long life, a workin' in your debt And 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