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John Henry

Chords

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DJohn Henry was a little baby
Sittin' on his CdadGdy's kAnee
He picked Dup a hammer and a Glittle piece of steel
And cried, "DHammer's gonna Abe death of Dme, Lord, GLord
DHammer's gonna Abe the death of Dme"
DNow the captain he said to John Henry
"I'm gonna bring that sCteam dGrill arAound
I'm gonna Dbring that steam drill Gout on these tracks
I'm gonna kDnock that sAteel on dDown, God, GGod
I'm gonna kDnock that sAteel on Ddown"
DJohn Henry told his captain
"Lord a man ain't Cnothin' Gbut a Aman
But 'Dfore I let that steam drill Gbeat me down
I'm gonna dDie with a hAammer in my hDand, Lord, LGord
I'll dDie with a hAammer in my Dhand"
DJohn Henry driving on the right side
That steam drill Cdriving Gon the Aleft
Says, "'Dfore I let your steam drill Gbeat me down
I'm gonna hDammer mysAelf to dDeath, Lord, LGord,
I'll hDammer my fAool self to Ddeath"
DWell captain said to John Henry
"What is that Cstorm GI hAear?"
John HDenry said, "That ain't no Gstorm captain
That's jDust my hAammer in the aDir, Lord, LGord
That's jDust my hAammer in the Dair"
DJohn Henry said to his shaker
"Shaker, why Cdon't Gyou sAing?
Cause I'm sDwingin' thirty pounds from my Ghips on down
Yeah, lDisten to my cAold steel rDing, Lord LGord
DListen to my cAold steel Dring"
DJohn Henry he hammered in the mountains
His hammer was sCtrikiGng fAire
But he wDorked so hard it Gbroke his heart
John HDenry laid dAown his hammer and dDied, Lord, LGord
John HDenry laid dAown his hammer and Ddied
DNow John Henry he had him a woman
By the name of CPolGly AAnn
She walked oDut to those tracks picked up GJohn Henry's hammer
And PDolly drove sAteel like a mDan, Lord, LGord
PDolly drove that sAteel like a Dman
DWell every, every Monday morning
When a blue bird he Cbegins Gto Asing
You can hDear John Henry from a Gmile or more
You can hDear John HAenry's hammer rDing, Lord, LGord
You can hDear John HAenry's hammer Dring
I said you can Dhear John AHenry's hammer Dring, Lord, GLord
You can hDear John HAenry's hammer Dring

All chords in this song (4)

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John Henry

by Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

John Henry was a little baby

C G A

Sittin' on his daddy's knee

D G

He picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel

D A D G

And cried, "Hammer's gonna be death of me, Lord, Lord

D A D

Hammer's gonna be the death of me"

Now the captain he said to John Henry

C G A

"I'm gonna bring that steam drill around

D G

I'm gonna bring that steam drill out on these tracks

D A D G

I'm gonna knock that steel on down, God, God

D A D

I'm gonna knock that steel on down"

John Henry told his captain

C G A

"Lord a man ain't nothin' but a man

D G

But 'fore I let that steam drill beat me down

D A D G

I'm gonna die with a hammer in my hand, Lord, Lord

D A D

I'll die with a hammer in my hand"

John Henry driving on the right side

C G A

That steam drill driving on the left

D G

Says, "'fore I let your steam drill beat me down

D A D G

I'm gonna hammer myself to death, Lord, Lord,

D A D

I'll hammer my fool self to death"

Well captain said to John Henry

C G A

"What is that storm I hear?"

D G

John Henry said, "That ain't no storm captain

D A D G

That's just my hammer in the air, Lord, Lord

D A D

That's just my hammer in the air"

John Henry said to his shaker

C G A

"Shaker, why don't you sing?

D G

Cause I'm swingin' thirty pounds from my hips on down

D A D G

Yeah, listen to my cold steel ring, Lord Lord

D A D

Listen to my cold steel ring"

John Henry he hammered in the mountains

C G A

His hammer was striking fire

D G

But he worked so hard it broke his heart

D A D G

John Henry laid down his hammer and died, Lord, Lord

D A D

John Henry laid down his hammer and died

Now John Henry he had him a woman

C G A

By the name of Polly Ann

D G

She walked out to those tracks picked up John Henry's hammer

D A D G

And Polly drove steel like a man, Lord, Lord

D A D

Polly drove that steel like a man

Well every, every Monday morning

C G A

When a blue bird he begins to sing

D G

You can hear John Henry from a mile or more

D A D G

You can hear John Henry's hammer ring, Lord, Lord

D A D

You can hear John Henry's hammer ring

D A D G

I said you can hear John Henry's hammer ring, Lord, Lord

D A D

You can hear John Henry's hammer ring

About John Henry Chords by Bruce Springsteen

Learn how to play John Henry by Bruce Springsteen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “John Henry chords”, “John Henry guitar chords”, or “Bruce Springsteen John Henry chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy John Henry chords and for experienced players who want accurate John Henry lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, C, G, A.

FAQ — John Henry by Bruce Springsteen

How do I play "John Henry" by Bruce Springsteen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "John Henry" by Bruce Springsteen on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "John Henry" by Bruce Springsteen free?

Yes. The chords for "John Henry" by Bruce Springsteen are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "John Henry" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "John Henry" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "John Henry"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "John Henry" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "John Henry" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "John Henry" by Bruce Springsteen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bruce Springsteen below.

What key is "John Henry" in?

The chords for "John Henry" show the original chord names (including D, C, G, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.