Hey! Four men star left, go turn the opposite girl
Star back home and turn your own
See-saw round your corner maid, then come back and promenade
Promenade her
Like a steel drivin' man, Lord, Lord
John Henry, you steel drivin' man

Hey! First and third swing your girl
Then go right, right down the center
Split the ring and go round the town
Then box the gnat and pull her by
Star left now with the sides
Two left hand stars keep turnin' round, Lord, Lord
Two left hand stars keep turnin' round

Well, the sides slide in, star right out in the center
Go twice while the head two couples swing
And now a left allemande, partner wrong way grand
I love to hear that cold steel ring
Swing
John Henry, that steel drivin' man

Now two and four when you've swung
You pass right down the center
Split that ring and go around the town
Then box the gnat and on you tread
Pull her by, star with the heads
Two left hand stars keep turnin' round, Lord, Lord
Two left hand stars keep turnin' round

Well, the heads slide in, star right out in the center
Go twice while the side two couples swing
And now a left allemande, partner wrong way grand
I love to hear that cold steel ring
Swing
John Henry, that steel drivin' man