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John Henry chords by
Odetta
Odetta
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N/A•2 views•
Key: Db major•
Verse 1
F
F

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Em
Em

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E
E

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Em
Em

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F
F

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John Henry was a little baby,
Em
Em

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F
F

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Sittin; on his momma's knee,
Em
Em

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Said, "The Big Bend Tunnel on the
F
F

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Gm
Gm
3

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C & O Road
F
F

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Is gonna be the death of me, Lord,

Be the death of me."
Verse 2
Em
Em

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F
F

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When John Henry was a little baby,

Em
Em

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F
F

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Sittin' on his poppa's knee,

He took a hammer, a little piece of steel,

Em
Em

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F
F

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Said, "Hammer's gonna be the death of me, Lord,

Lord
G
G

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F
F

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Hammer's gonna be the death of me."
E
E

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John Henry
Verse 3
Em
Em

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F
F

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had a little woman,
Em
Em

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Her name was Mary Magdalene.
F
F

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Every day she would sing for John Henry

Just to hear his hammer when it swing,

Lord,

Just to hear his hammer when it swing.
Verse 4
F
F

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Em
Em

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And now the captain
F
F

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he says to John Henry,
Em
Em

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F
F

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"I'm gonna bring that steam drill round,


I'm gonna bring that steam drill out on the job,


"I'm gonna whop that steel
G
G

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F
F

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on down."
Verse 5
Em
Em

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F
F

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John Henry said to his captain,


"I know a man ain't nothin' but a man,

Em
Em

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But before I'll let your steam
F
F

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drill beat me down,

I'll die with my hammer in my hand,

Lord,
Em
Em

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I'll die with my hammer
F
F

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in my hand.
Verse 6
F
F

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John Henry said to his shaker, "Shaker, why don't
Em
Em

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you sing?
E
E

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Em
Em

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F
F

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And now I'm throwin' forty
Gm
Gm
3

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pounds from my hip on down,
F
F

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Em
Em

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F
F

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G
G

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Listen to the cold steel ring, Lawdy, Lawdy,
F
F

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Listen to the cold steel ring."
Verse 7
F
F

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John Henry said to his captain, "Looky

yonder what I see- -

Steam drill broke, your hole done choke,

You can't drive steel like me, Lord,
G
G

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Gm
Gm
3

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F
F

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You can't drive

steel like me."
Verse 8
F
F

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John Henry a- workin'

on the mountain,

Hammer was a- strikin' fire,

But he worked so hard it broke
Em
Em

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F
F

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his poor heart,

He laid down his hammer and he died,

Lawdy,

He lad down his hammer and he died.
Verse 9
F
F

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Now momma's gonna shoe

my pretty little feet,

Poppy gonna glove my hand,
F
F

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Sister gonna kiss my red, ruby lips,
Eb
Eb
6

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F
F

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I don't need no man, Lawdy, Lawdy,

Not after my steel- drivin' man,
F
F

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Lawdy, Lawdy,
F
F

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Not after my steel- drivin' man.

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An acoustic guitar head with tuning pegs

Open Tuner
Chords

  • F

  • Em

  • E

  • Gm

    3

  • G

  • Eb

    6

Capo: 1

Transpose: 0

0

Autoscroll20%

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Frequently asked questions

The original key of John Henry by Odetta is Db major.

The primary chords used in John Henry are Gb, Fm, F, Abm, Ab, Fb.

To play in the original key, place your capo on the 1 fret.

Yes, this version uses open chords like Gb, Fm, F, Abm, making it a great song for beginner guitarists.

The tempo of John Henry is approximately 65 beats per minute.

You can easily change the key of John Henry using our Transpose button located in the toolbar. This will automatically update all chord diagrams on the page to match your new key.

Yes! Click the Print icon to generate a clean, one-page version of the chords and lyrics for John Henry. This is perfect for practicing offline or adding to a physical songbook.

Yes, we have integrated a Mini-Tuner directly on this page. Use it to quickly check your string pitch (Standard Tuning: E A D G B E) before you start playing along with Odetta.

Absolutely. Click the Save or Heart icon to add John Henry to your account. You can access all your saved songs under My Library at any time.

You can view the full chord sheet and lyrics for John Henry by Odetta on this page for free. We provide high-quality, verified chords to help you start playing immediately.