john henry blues in poetry

a long time gone ago
john henry was a man
a long gone time ago
he was a steel-driving man
but now don’t misunderstand
don’t let your senses leave
he was no driver made of metal
didn’t drive getaway for thieves
no, john henry, he drove hard
he drove the cold hard steel
crisscross this stolen land
he made the railways real
yes, john henry was a man
he was a still-driven man
for each day he was alive
john henry couldn’t change
forever driven to the drive
yes, john henry was a man
as long as he could stand
and nothing lasts forever
we’re just latent ghosts
he couldn’t last forever
but he got damned close
and he died like a man
all according to plan
motherfucker tried
motherfucker died
but he got close
there’s points
for so close