THE LAST BALLAD OF J.HENRY

..

John Henry was a lucky man

his face was brown his palms were tan

he carried round no creedmor gun

nor ever shot his way to glory

John Henry was not a violent man

he fought his way to freedom town

wrestled with America until his blue

coat bled and thus they sent him home

John Henry wore his dungarees til they

wore through; he were a lowborn novice

who slipped the scheming fires

to celebrate with Jungle Jim and Alice

all night through the moon was ill

when John Henry turned a savage

his blisters and his stripes in truth

announced he never bore no malice

whether he beeth hero or he be villain

so the track groweth cold and soldiers old

will die with naught to feed their fury since

John Henry came yon member of yon jury

he marcheth best who wears his vest

buttoned up and seemly as all good

soldiers wear their britches tied into their

boots in case stolen by the enemy

o John Henry light of foot stand beside me

your people wild as cats must hide in caves

pick up your axe and deliver seismic fury to

set yon captives free n’ enlist all honest braves

in your heroic story

..

©edenbraytoday14.10.2026