John Henry

Mrs Henry had a baby Called the little bastard John Said one of these days you're gonna spread your wings So let's build you strong It's a means to an end Little John picked up a hammer Climbed up in his mother's bed Said what's this here tool for She looked him in the eyes and said It's a means to an end Now Polly Anne wanted a husband To build her a happy home Couldn't afford those red high heels So she took them out on loan It's a means to an end Down to the church every Sunday To eat that bread and blood Gives a break from the hammer but there's work to be done When you fear the flood It's a means to an end One day Mammon came to town Carting his silver machine Said go home boys your work here is done Welcome our steam powered queen It's a means to an end John turned to face his men Hammer as ever in his hand Said I'll beat this Earthly creation down And keep our claim to this land It's a means to an end Two days of drilling later John did start to take sick Polly took his place and hammered like a man But the clock starts to tick As Mammon visits John at his bedside Asked him real polite John should I call the preacher To read you your last rites It's a means to an end