Intro - G D G C G D G Verse: G D G I was born with a hammer in my hand C It's the kind of life I doubt you'd understand G I'd give anything just to hear the cold steel ring D Cause I was born with a hammer in my hand Swingin' steel's the only life I've known I've never been afraid to be alone Hope my Mama understands I'll always be a working man Cause I was born with a hammer in my hand John Henry was a steel-drivin' man You could hear his hammer ring across the land But before the steam drill came, John Henry knew my name Cause I was born with a hammer in my hand The bossman tries to break a good man's back It takes thirty men to lay eight miles of track If the shaker holds the line, they'll be thirty miles behind me I was born with a hammer in my hand John Henry was a steel drivin' man You could hear his hammer ring across the land But if you put us side by side, he'd have to run and hide Cause I was born with a hammer in my hand D G Yes I'll die with a hammer in my hand