Drive-By Truckers - The day john henry died

G D Cadd9 Em7 I watched the rain; it settled in. We disappeared for days again. G D Cadd9 G Most of us were staying in, lazy like the sky. G D Cadd9 Em7 The letters flew across the wire filtered through a million liars. G D Cadd9 G The whole world smelled like burning tires the day John Henry died. G D Cadd9 Em7 We knew about that big machine that ran on human hope and steam. G D Cadd9 G Bets on John were far between and mostly on the side. G D Cadd9 Em7 We heard he put up quite a fight. His hands and feet turned snowy white. G D Cadd9 G That hammer rang out through the night the day John Henry died. Em7 Cadd9 G D When John Henry was a little bitty baby Em7 Cadd9 G D nobody ever taught him how to read Em7 Cadd9 G D but he knew the perfect way to hold a hammer Cadd9 Am was the way the railroad baron held the deed. G D Cadd9 Em7 It didn't matter if he won, if he lived, or if he'd run. G D Cadd9 G They changed the way his job was done. Labor costs were high. G D Cadd9 Em7 That new machine was cheap as hell and only John would work as well, G D Cadd9 G so they left him laying where he fell the day John Henry died. Em7 Cadd9 G D John Henry was a steel-driving bastard Em7 Cadd9 G D but John Henry was a bastard just the same. Em7 Cadd9 G D An engine never thinks about his daddy Em7 Cadd9 Am and an engine never needs to write its name. G D Cadd9 Em7 So pack your bags, we're headed west and L.A. ain't no place to rest. G D Cadd9 G You'll need some sleep to pass the test, so get some on the flight G D Cadd9 Em7 and say your prayers John Henry Ford 'cause we don't need your work no more. G D Cadd9 G You should have known the final score the day John Henry died.