[Verse]
One of these days, I'm gonna lay this hammer down
I won't have to drag this weight around
When there ain't no hunger and there ain't no pain
I won't have to swing this thing
One of these days, I'm gonna lay this hammer down

[Verse]
One of these nights, I'm gonna sing a different tune
All night long beneath the silvery moon
When the war is over and the union's strong
Won't sing no more angry songs
One of these nights, I'm gonna sing a different tune

[Bridge]
Someday when my struggle's through
I won't have to strive
Until then, all I can do
Is let my hammer fly

[Verse]
One of these days, I'm gonna lay this hammer down
Leave my burden resting on the ground
When the air don't choke you and the ocean's clean
And kids don't die for gasoline
One of these days, I'm gonna lay this hammer down
[Bridge]
John Henry was a mighty man
Worked his whole life long
When he made that hammer ring
He always sang this song

[Chorus]
One of these days, I'm gonna lay this hammer down
I won't have to drag this weight around
When there ain't no hunger and there ain't no pain
I won't have to swing this thing
One of these days, I'm gonna lay this hammer down
Yeah, one of these days, I'm gonna lay this hammer down