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John Henry

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
   G|    D|    G|    A|    D|  G   D|
   D|    D|  D   A|    D| x2
[Verse 1]
JGohn Henry was a new-born bDaby, sittin' dGown on his mama's kAnee
Say, "That BDig Bend Tunnel on that GC & O RDoad,
It's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord
It's gonna be the dAeath of mDe.
It's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord
It's gonna be the dAeath of mDe."
[Verse 2]
JGohn Henry had two woDmen, one was nGamed Mary MagdalAene
He would gDo out on the job and shGe would sDing,
"Hear John Henry's hammer ring, Lord, Lord,
Hear John Henry's hAammer rinDg.
Hear John Henry's hammer ring, Lord, Lord,
Hear John Henry's hAammer rinDg."
[Verse 3]
JGohn Henry had another little wDoman, her nGame was sweet Polly AAnn
John HDenry taken sick, boy, and he hGad to go to Dbed
Polly Ann drove steel just like a man, Lord, Lord
Polly Ann drove stAeel like Da man
Polly Ann drove steel just like a man, Lord Lord
Polly Ann drove stAeel like Da man
[Verse 4]
"GBaby, who's gonna shoe your little fDeet, tell me, wGho's gonna glove your hAand?
Tell me, wDho's gonna kiss your swGeet little Dlips, now
Tell me, who's gonna be your man, Lord, Lord
Tell me, who's gonna Abe your mDan.
Tell me, who's gonna be your man, Lord, Lord
Tell me, who's gonna Abe your mDan?"
[Verse 5]
"My pGapa's gonna shoe my little fDeet, my mGama's gonna glove my hAand
My sDister's gonna kiss my swGeet little lDips, now
You know I don't need no man, Lord, Lord
You know I don't nAeed no mDan.
You know I don't need no man, Lord, Lord
You know I don't nAeed no mDan."
[Solo]
   G|    D|    G|    A|    D|  G   D|
   D|    D|  D   A|    D| x2
[Verse 6]
Then they tGaken John Henry to the WhDite House, they bGuried him in the sAand
And Devery locomotive come a-rGollin' bDy, sayin',
"There lies that steel-drivin' man, Lord, Lord
There lies that stAeel-drivin' mDan.
There lies that steel-drivin' man, Lord, Lord
There lies that stAeel-drivin' mDan."

All chords in this song (3)

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John Henry

by Leadbelly

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

G D G A D G D

| | | | | |

D D D A D

| | | | x2

[Verse 1]

G D G A

John Henry was a new-born baby, sittin' down on his mama's knee

D G D

Say, "That Big Bend Tunnel on that C & O Road,

It's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord

A D

It's gonna be the death of me.

It's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord

A D

It's gonna be the death of me."

[Verse 2]

G D G A

John Henry had two women, one was named Mary Magdalene

D G D

He would go out on the job and she would sing,

"Hear John Henry's hammer ring, Lord, Lord,

A D

Hear John Henry's hammer ring.

Hear John Henry's hammer ring, Lord, Lord,

A D

Hear John Henry's hammer ring."

[Verse 3]

G D G A

John Henry had another little woman, her name was sweet Polly Ann

D G D

John Henry taken sick, boy, and he had to go to bed

Polly Ann drove steel just like a man, Lord, Lord

A D

Polly Ann drove steel like a man

Polly Ann drove steel just like a man, Lord Lord

A D

Polly Ann drove steel like a man

[Verse 4]

G D G A

"Baby, who's gonna shoe your little feet, tell me, who's gonna glove your hand?

D G D

Tell me, who's gonna kiss your sweet little lips, now

Tell me, who's gonna be your man, Lord, Lord

A D

Tell me, who's gonna be your man.

Tell me, who's gonna be your man, Lord, Lord

A D

Tell me, who's gonna be your man?"

[Verse 5]

G D G A

"My papa's gonna shoe my little feet, my mama's gonna glove my hand

D G D

My sister's gonna kiss my sweet little lips, now

You know I don't need no man, Lord, Lord

A D

You know I don't need no man.

You know I don't need no man, Lord, Lord

A D

You know I don't need no man."

[Solo]

G D G A D G D

| | | | | |

D D D A D

| | | | x2

[Verse 6]

G D G A

Then they taken John Henry to the White House, they buried him in the sand

D G D

And every locomotive come a-rollin' by, sayin',

"There lies that steel-drivin' man, Lord, Lord

A D

There lies that steel-drivin' man.

There lies that steel-drivin' man, Lord, Lord

A D

There lies that steel-drivin' man."

About John Henry Chords by Leadbelly

Learn how to play John Henry by Leadbelly with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “John Henry chords”, “John Henry guitar chords”, or “Leadbelly 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 G, D, A, C.

FAQ — John Henry by Leadbelly

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What key is "John Henry" in?

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