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John Henry

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

All C chords varying C and C9.
[Verse 1]
CJohn Henry had a little woman
And the dress she wore was red
AmShe walked down the track
FShe never looked back
[Chorus]
I'm goinAmg where John Henry fell Fdead
I'm goinAmg where John Henry fell Cdead
[Verse 2]
CJohn Henry had another woman
And her name was Polly Anne
AmJohn Henry was taken sick
FAnd he had to go to bed
[Chorus]
Polly AnAmne drove steel like a Fman
Polly AnAmne drove steel like a Cman
[Verse 3]
CJohn Henry told his little woman
Honey fix my supper soon
AmI got ninety-nine miles
FOf track I wanna line back
[Chorus]
I'm gonna Amline 'em by the light of the Fmoon
I'm gonna Amline 'em by the light of the Cmoon
[Verse 4]
CJohn Henry said to his captain
You know a man ain't nothin' but a man
AmI'm bettin' right now you won't Fbeat me down
[Chorus]
I'm gonna Amdie with my hammer in my Fhand
I'm gonna Amdie with my hammer in my Chand
[Verse 5]
CJohn Henry hammered in the mountain
Until his hammer caught on fire
AmThe last word's I heard that the Fpoor boy said
[Chorus]
AmGive me a cool drink of water before FI die
AmGive me a cool drink of water before CI die   (x3)

All chords in this song (3)

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John Henry

by Hugh Laurie

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

All C chords varying C and C9.

[Verse 1]

John Henry had a little woman

And the dress she wore was red

She walked down the track

She never looked back

[Chorus]

Am F

I'm going where John Henry fell dead

Am C

I'm going where John Henry fell dead

[Verse 2]

John Henry had another woman

And her name was Polly Anne

John Henry was taken sick

And he had to go to bed

[Chorus]

Am F

Polly Anne drove steel like a man

Am C

Polly Anne drove steel like a man

[Verse 3]

John Henry told his little woman

Honey fix my supper soon

I got ninety-nine miles

Of track I wanna line back

[Chorus]

Am F

I'm gonna line 'em by the light of the moon

Am C

I'm gonna line 'em by the light of the moon

[Verse 4]

John Henry said to his captain

You know a man ain't nothin' but a man

Am F

I'm bettin' right now you won't beat me down

[Chorus]

Am F

I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand

Am C

I'm gonna die with my hammer in my hand

[Verse 5]

John Henry hammered in the mountain

Until his hammer caught on fire

Am F

The last word's I heard that the poor boy said

[Chorus]

Am F

Give me a cool drink of water before I die

Am C

Give me a cool drink of water before I die (x3)

About John Henry Chords by Hugh Laurie

Learn how to play John Henry by Hugh Laurie with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “John Henry chords”, “John Henry guitar chords”, or “Hugh Laurie 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 C, C9, Am, F.

FAQ — John Henry by Hugh Laurie

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What key is "John Henry" in?

The chords for "John Henry" show the original chord names (including C, C9, Am, F). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.