How Many Miles of Track by Andrew Crawford Lyrics
[Verse 1]
A little baby born in the decade 1850
In a cabin, his mama smiled, said, "I'll name this boy John Henry"
This one's got a strong will, someday he's gonna make himself a name
Some say it was Virginia back before the Civil War
But the Carolinas claim it's the place where he was born
The stories and the legends and the tall tales, they never say
John Henry was born a slave
[Chorus]
Born another man's possession, hard work his only friend
God gave big John a hammer and the strength of twеnty men
And the only thing that matterеd at the end of every day
Was how many miles of track did you lay?
With your hammer, John
How many miles did you lay?
[Verse 2]
We've all heard the story of how he beat that steam drill down
Working on the west bend tunnel beneath the West Virginia ground
He was born into oppression, his legend lives free beyond the grave
So when you're loaded down with trouble and the world is on your back
Think of old John Henry moving mountains to lay the track
Take a firm grip on the hammer, watch the shaker, take your breath and take your aim
Swing your hammer, break your chains
[Chorus]
Born another man's possession, hard work his only friend
God gave big John a hammer and the strength of twenty men
And the only thing that matters at the end of every day
Was how many miles of track did you lay?
With your hammer, John
Was how many miles did you lay?
A little baby born in the decade 1850
In a cabin, his mama smiled, said, "I'll name this boy John Henry"
This one's got a strong will, someday he's gonna make himself a name
Some say it was Virginia back before the Civil War
But the Carolinas claim it's the place where he was born
The stories and the legends and the tall tales, they never say
John Henry was born a slave
[Chorus]
Born another man's possession, hard work his only friend
God gave big John a hammer and the strength of twеnty men
And the only thing that matterеd at the end of every day
Was how many miles of track did you lay?
With your hammer, John
How many miles did you lay?
[Verse 2]
We've all heard the story of how he beat that steam drill down
Working on the west bend tunnel beneath the West Virginia ground
He was born into oppression, his legend lives free beyond the grave
So when you're loaded down with trouble and the world is on your back
Think of old John Henry moving mountains to lay the track
Take a firm grip on the hammer, watch the shaker, take your breath and take your aim
Swing your hammer, break your chains
[Chorus]
Born another man's possession, hard work his only friend
God gave big John a hammer and the strength of twenty men
And the only thing that matters at the end of every day
Was how many miles of track did you lay?
With your hammer, John
Was how many miles did you lay?