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