They say, John Henry was a man And they say, he took a hammer in his hand Yeah, that's it And then he busted a rock so hard He gave the world a shock Yes, they say, John Henry was a man Oh, they say, John Henry won a prize And they say, he gave his life to win that prize Yes, they say, he hammered on until his breath was gone Yes, they say, John Henry won a prize Well, there's a prize I'm gonna win And the time's long gone, the time I should begin But it's better late than never and no time in forever So right now, I'm gonna start to win Oh, it's a long road to get there, so they say And there's great big mountains in the way But I'm gonna make it through if it's the last damn thing I do I'm gonna be John Henry I'm gonna be John Henry I'm gonna be John Henry Be John Henry too Oh, I'm gonna be John Henry