Steel Driving Man.

The Legend of John Henry. Written when I was about 13-14 for Social Studies/History class or something...

John Henry was a tough, stout man.
Worked all day with a hammer in his hand.
Gruntin', screaming, and full of pain,
every time he swung it was full of strain.
I've made my living with this  hammer and today I stand,
to tell you the day I die, I'll have this hammer in my hand.
And after a while, he began to get famous.
His kin said take pride, but please don't shame us.
Well word got around about this hammering machine,
they said it could hammer faster than ol' John could dream.
Well John said, "I'll put it to the test",
"and whoever comes out first, truly is the best."
When the day came and this machine arrived,
they all said John's popularity and honor would be deprived.
When the contest began, John started to swing,
and what kept him going was thinking that he was the king.
When the machine operator fell behind, he started to worry.
So he picked up the pace in a nervous hurry.
Ol' John was one tough black male.
He was pouring sweat as sparks flew from the rail.
Pounding goes his hammer, beating goes his heart.
They bother were rapid, even from the start.
When it was done, ol' John raised his brow.
For he had won and everyone wondered how?
But John had a heart attack and fell into the sand.
He said it would happen-- so he died with a hammer in his hand.