The Ballad of John Henry

[Verse] John Henry hammer steel heart pounding Midnight stars don't catch him resting Swing that hammer sky cries hallelujah Iron rails wail he's the one testing [Verse 2] Barefoot in the dust sun's wrath he shatters Sleeves rolled up sweat beads scatter Legend whispers town to town travelers sing Steel driver John not just a mere bravado fling [Chorus] John Henry man no machine can conquer Spirit of the mountain breaks free like thunder Blood and bone against the cold iron chains Heart of a lion can't silence his name [Verse 3] Fateful day sun and steam drill met head-on Copper heart cold never fight till dawn Challenge in eyes no retreat no surrenders Diesel snake moves yet he's the contenders [Verse 4] Muscles strain veins burst sweat river flow Every strike an anthem surge ebb grow John Henry fight till the last gasp embrace Was it man or myth battles won race [Bridge] Steel bleed rust but his name remains Ghost in the whistle rhythm eternal refrain Eclipses shadow his lifeblood pounding John Henry lives in the echoes resounding