Johnny Cash - The Legend Of John Henrys Hammer Chords

[Intro]
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you know John henry has been sung
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more ways and by so many different people and lads
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probably crawling across the united states
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you could find a new version of john henry every fifty miles.
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Well, I havent seen one within fifty miles of here, so
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we got another one, we hope you like this
 
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one thing we all agree on no matter how many versions there are
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we believe that John Henry did pick up that hammer, and say
[Sung intro]
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This hammer gonna be the death of me , but I love to swing it
                  B7              E
This hammer gonna be the death of me.
 
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[Verse 1]
G
John Henrys pappy had to have a dollar
                                D7
His overwalls were empty, not a dime
G                            C                   G
John Henry said now pappy, I know where theres a dollar,
G
And I'll get it from that man in the man. No I promise I wont steal it.
                     D7         G
I'll get it from the man in the mine
 
 
[Verse 2]
G
Well the yard foreman spotted ol' John Henry
                                      D7
John Henry heard the man and politely said
 
Well please sir,
      G                C           G
I can hoist a jack and I can lay a track
      G
I can pick and shovel too, better swing my hammer
       D7             G
but I pick and shovel too.
N.C.
Well hes kinda scared cause the yardforeman said
 
Boy, what can u do with all them muscles
 
 
[Verse 3]
G
Well the bad captain told John Henry
                                   D7
Them muscles aint gonna do you any good
G                   C             G
boy we got a steam drill, coming in the morning
 
so what's a driver gonna do, like you
           D7          G
whats John Henry gonna do.
 
 
[Verse 4]
G
John Henry said captain I just doesnt know, i dont know
                            D7
but a man aint nothin but a man.
G                              C                G
I aint gonna let a steam drill do my sweat and swinging
G
Ill die with this hammer in my hand, Ill give it a fight.
     G            D7           G
Ill die with this hammer in my hand
 
 
[Verse 5]
N.C.
Well John henry met that steam drill at the mountain
                                            D7
The race was a mile and quarter to the line 
G                                              C
Well the steam drill and the man of steel kept at it, nip and tuk
                                                   D7
The drill met the deadline, then it burnt and fell apart.
G                   D7       G
But John Henry was one step behind.
 
 
[Verse 6]
G
Well John Henry he had a little women,
                                   D7
and I think ladies name was Polly Anne. Polly anne thats right.
 
John Henry said.
N.C
Come here Polly Anne, listen to me now sugar
 
it seems to me like I'm bad bad sick,
 
and that steam drills ahead
 
Go up on that mountain if you can and sing and whistle
 
But make 'em all remember a
G               D7      G
Good , working, Fightin man.
                  D7                 G
Yeah make 'em all remember your good man.
 
 
[Verse 7]
G
A big crowd of mourners at the church house.
                                       D7
Steel driving buddies, laid him in the sands.
G                                C     N.C                  G (strum)
When the Engine roll by, on the rails that John Henry laid himself.
N.C
They all pull a whistle to say Hi to John Henry.
N.C
and they all high ball, and give a little fast chug-a-lug rhythm.
N.C
They take off their caps and point over to the spot John Henrys
N.C
resting at last and they sing:
 
 
[Outro]
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Yonder lies a steel driving man,
              D7            G
Yonder lies a steel driving man,
 
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Yonder lies a steel driving man,man man
              B7            E
Yonder lies a steel driving man, he aint all steam
 
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Yonder lies a steel driving man,
              B7            E
Yonder lies a steel driving man,