Listen, in every heart there burns a flame For the love of glory and a dreaded shameBut oh, how happy we would be if we understood That there is no safety but in doing goodPeople out West heard that John Henry's dead He couldn't hardly stay in bedCouldn't hardly stay in bed Monday morning on the eastbound trainGood where John Henry dead Good where John Henry deadYeah, they carried John Henry to the graveyard Looked at him good and longVery last words I heard his poor wife say My husband is dead and goneMy husband is dead and goneJohn Henry's wife wore a brand new dress It was all trimmed in blueThe very last words I heard that poor gal say Johnny, I've been true to youJohnny, I've been true to youJohn Henry said to his shaker Darling, shake while I swingI'm swinging a hammer from my shoulder Bound to hear a witchy ringBound to hear a witchy ringJohn Henry hammered on a mountain Till the hammer caught on fireYeah, the very last words I heard that poor boy say He could drink of water before I dieCould drink of water before I die