[[Intro:]]
You know what fellas, I'm gonna tell y'all a tale
And it's something very eclectic, by means
I want y'all to take some time off and just listen
And hear me well
Y'all hear me
Listen

[[1st Verse]]
There is one big ole strong black man
He always puts his heart in it (when it comes)
He can't be stressed out
When he built that grand old railroad
But whatever it is he's got it (yes bruh)
With all the strength, yeah
Never been the one to quit
He didn't want to be pooped out (no rest)
He said we're not doomed
He'd be done driving all the spikes
'Cause we rely on machines (yeah, folks)
I want you to think

[[Chorus:]]
You can say that's gruesome He's a strong man
Did take no steroids
Wanna have machines do stuff
No machine can outperform man
He is John Henry, he is John Henry
That's strong enough to drive steel
So move over folks, he's John Henry
Nothing can outdo him!

[[2nd Verse:]]
(Listen) I am telling how he did it
'Cause he was born to do this
He's black, but no one understands
So amazing, remarkable, innovative
All the things he try to put them he wanna be a hoss
So if he (he opts to beat a machine)
He's up to the challenge, He'll take it
He is in the long run
What would be if there are just machines?
Oh yes, He's got muscles!

[[Chorus:]]

[[Bridge]]
He is about
Elbow grease, elbow grease
It's the long ride
You can prove him right (can't prove him wrong)
Blood and sweat, blood and sweat
He's strong like a big ol' fat brown ox!
No faking, that big machine could not outperform me
He will try to make breakthroughs cause he has determination
He is used to breaking through
So if you wanna challenge John
He will break through mountains, ain't fakin', he would so accept them
Nothing makes breakthroughs better than old John Henry
Darling

[[Chorus (x2):]]