"John Henry" lyrics

Say, John Henry, whatcha doin' it for
Showed you progress and you're callin' it war
My, my
Twelve long hours didn't earn you a dime
Nine-pound hammer on the Chesapeake Line
My, my

Say, John Henry, tell me what do you mean
Man can't battle with the soul of machines
My, my
Take no notice of the good that you done
Gave you nothing but the dirt in your lungs
My, my
My, my

Ain't you tired of trying so hard
Don't it wear you down

Oh, so long
If the rich man say
Who's to say that they're wrong?
Time moves on
And there ain't no telling what they'll say
What they'll say when you're gone

Say, John Henry, when are you gonna learn
Time keeps running on the bodies it burns
My, my
Found your purpose in the work of your hands
But the rich men steal what they can't understand
My, my
My, my

Ain't you tired of trying so hard
Don't it wear you down

Oh, so long
If the rich man say
Who's to say that they're wrong?
'Cause time moves on
And there ain't no telling what they'll say
What they'll say when you're gone

Oh, they thought those pistons would drive you along
But you tuned your heartbeat and you made it a song
Oh John
Oh John

Say, John Henry, how'd you win in the end?
Laid there smiling while they're steaming ahead
Unmarked grave dirt filling your boots
But the songs ain't singing 'bout the wolves in the suits