Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Ralph Stanley
Canonical path: /ralph-stanley/the-death-of-john-henry
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
The Death of John Henry
Read The Death of John Henry lyrics by Ralph Stanley on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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Lyrics
The Death of John Henry
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Listen in every heart there burns a flame
For the love of glory or the dread of shame
But oh how happy we would be if we understood
There's no safety but in doing good
People out west heard of John Henry's death
Couldn't hardly stay in bed
Monday morning on the east bound train
Going where John Henry's dead
Going where John Henry's dead
They carried John Henry to the graveyard
They looked at him good and long
The very last words his wife said to him
My husband he's dead and gone
My husband he's dead and gone
John Henry's wife wore a brand new dress
It was all trimmed in blue
The very last words she said to him
Honey I been good to you
Honey I been good to you
John Henry told the Shaker
Lord shake while I sing
Pulling a hammer from my shoulder
Bound to hear her when she rings
Bound to hear her when she rings
John Henry told his captain
I am a Tennessee man
Before I would see that steam drill beat me down
Die with a hammer in my hand
Die with a hammer in my hand
John Henry hammered in the mountain
Till the hammer caught on fire
Very last words I heard him say
Cool drink of water before I die
Cool drink of water before I die
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Who performs "The Death of John Henry"?
Ralph Stanley performs "The Death of John Henry", and this lyric page sits inside the Ralph Stanley catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Death of John Henry"?
Yes. The related section below points to Down Where the River Bends and East Virginia Blues with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Ralph Stanley?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Ralph Stanley's lyric pages.
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