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[Verse 1]
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John Henry was a steel drivin' man
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John Henry was a steel drivin' man
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He died in West Virginia with his hammer in his hand
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They sing about him all across land
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John Henry was a steel drivin' man

[Verse 2]
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He beat the steam drill down and then he died
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He beat the steam drill down and then he died
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And it didn't change nothin' but heaven knows he tried
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He was buried with his hammer by his side
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He beat the steam drill down and then he died

[Instrumental]
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[Verse 3]
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There's coal beneath the mountain down below
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There's coal beneath the mountain down below
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And the company come to take it
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But the work was hard and slow
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Said well there ain't no money in it, we'll just go
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Alright, there's coal beneath the mountain down below

[Verse 4]
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And the union come and tried to make a stand
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The union come and tried to make a stand
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And West Virginia miners voted union to a man
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You'd never know it now but that was then
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When the union come and tried to make a stand

[Verse 5]
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But the company brought in all the big machines
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The company brought in all the big machines
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Cut more coal in an hour
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Than a shift could in a week
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John Henry could've told them what that means
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When the company brought in all the big machines, hey

[Instrumental]
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A  D  A  F#m
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[Verse 6]
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John Henry was a steel drivin' man
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John Henry was a steel drivin' man
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He died in West Virginia
         D             A
With his hammer in his hand
     A              D          A    F#m
They sing about him all across land
     A           E             A  E A
John Henry was a steel drivin' man