Capo
2
Rate for accuracy
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Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E)
Intro:
A
A
A D A
A D A F#m
A E A
Verse 1:
A
John Henry was a steel drivin' man
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John Henry was a steel drivin' man
A D A
He died in West Virginia with his hammer in his hand
A D A F#m
They sing about him all across land
A E A
John Henry was a steel drivin' man
Verse 2:
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He beat the steam drill down and then he died
A
He beat the steam drill down and then he died
A D A
And it didn't change nothin' but heaven knows he tried
A D A F#m
He was buried with his hammer by his side
A E A
He beat the steam drill down and then he died
Instrumental:
A
A
A D A
A D A F#m
A E A
Verse 3:
A
There's coal beneath the mountain down below
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There's coal beneath the mountain down below
A
And the company come to take it
D A
But the work was hard and slow
A D A F#m
Said well there ain't no money in it, we'll just go
A E A
Alright, there's coal beneath the mountain down below
Verse 4:
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And the union come and tried to make a stand
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The union come and tried to make a stand
A D A
And West Virginia miners voted union to a man
A D A F#m
You'd never know it now but that was then
A E A
When the union come and tried to make a stand
Verse 5:
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But the company brought in all the big machines
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The company brought in all the big machines
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Cut more coal in an hour
D A
Than a shift could in a week
A D A F#m
John Henry could've told them what that means
A E A
When the company brought in all the big machines, hey
Instrumental:
A
A
A D A
A D A F#m
A E A
Verse 6:
A
John Henry was a steel drivin' man
A
John Henry was a steel drivin' man
A
He died in West Virginia
D A
With his hammer in his hand
A D A F#m
They sing about him all across land
A E A E A
John Henry was a steel drivin' man
Song History
Last Updated: September 10, 2025