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John Henry

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Dmajor

90BPM

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John Henry
Tuning: standard
[Verse 1]
Well, eDvery Monday morning
When the bluebirds Cbegin Gto sAing
You can sDee John Henry oG7ut on the line
You can hDear John Henry's hammering
Lord Lord, you can hear John Henry's A7hammeriDng
[Verse 2]
DWhen John Henry was a little baby
Sittin' on his CdaddyG's knAee
He pDicked up a hammer and a lG7ittle piece of steel
Said hDammer's gonna be the death of me
Hammer's gonna be the A7death of Dme
[Verse 3]
DWell, the captain said to John Henry
Gonna bring me a Csteam dGrill 'rAound
Gonna Dbring me a steam drill G7out on the job
Gonna wDhup that steel on down
Oh Lord, gonna whup that A7steel on dDown
[Verse 4]
DJohn Henry said to his captain
A man ain't Cnothin' Gbut a Aman
And beDfore I let that steam drill G7beat me down
I'll Ddie with a hammer in my hand
Oh Lord, I'll die with a A7hammer in my Dhand
[Verse 5]
DJohn Henry he drove fifteen feet
The sCteam drill Gonly made nAine
But he Dhammered so hard he bG7roke his heart
And he lDaid down his hammer and died
Oh Lord, he laid down his hA7ammer and dDied
[Verse 6]
DThe took John Henry to the graveyard
And they bCuried hin iGn the sAand
And eDvery locomotive comes a rG7oaring by
Says tDhere lies a steel driving man
Oh Lord, there lies a sA7teel driving mDan

All chords in this song (6)

Open

XXO232

Major chord - Happy, bright sound

✕ Mute Open Press

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D major

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

John Henry

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John Henry

by Misc Traditional

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

John Henry

Tuning: standard

[Verse 1]

Well, every Monday morning

C G A

When the bluebirds begin to sing

D G7

You can see John Henry out on the line

You can hear John Henry's hammering

A7 D

Lord Lord, you can hear John Henry's hammering

[Verse 2]

When John Henry was a little baby

C G A

Sittin' on his daddy's knee

D G7

He picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel

Said hammer's gonna be the death of me

A7 D

Hammer's gonna be the death of me

[Verse 3]

Well, the captain said to John Henry

C G A

Gonna bring me a steam drill 'round

D G7

Gonna bring me a steam drill out on the job

Gonna whup that steel on down

A7 D

Oh Lord, gonna whup that steel on down

[Verse 4]

John Henry said to his captain

C G A

A man ain't nothin' but a man

D G7

And before I let that steam drill beat me down

I'll die with a hammer in my hand

A7 D

Oh Lord, I'll die with a hammer in my hand

[Verse 5]

John Henry he drove fifteen feet

C G A

The steam drill only made nine

D G7

But he hammered so hard he broke his heart

And he laid down his hammer and died

A7 D

Oh Lord, he laid down his hammer and died

[Verse 6]

The took John Henry to the graveyard

C G A

And they buried hin in the sand

D G7

And every locomotive comes a roaring by

Says there lies a steel driving man

A7 D

Oh Lord, there lies a steel driving man

About John Henry Chords by Misc Traditional

Learn how to play John Henry by Misc Traditional with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “John Henry chords”, “John Henry guitar chords”, or “Misc Traditional 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, G7, A7.

FAQ — John Henry by Misc Traditional

How do I play "John Henry" by Misc Traditional on guitar?

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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.

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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 Misc Traditional with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Misc Traditional below.

What key is "John Henry" in?

The chords for "John Henry" show the original chord names (including D, C, G, A, G7, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.