This is one of the songs in which the fieldhand shanty influence and slave history can be heard most clearly. The !!!!! is a haul-the-rope grunt.

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John Cherokee was an Indian man,
Alabama, John Cherokee!
He run away every time he can.
Alabama, John Cherokee!

CHORUS:
Way, Hey, Yo!!!!!  Alabama, John Cherokee!
Way, Hey, Yo!!!!!  Alabama, John Cherokee!

They put him a-board a Yankee ship,
Alabama, John Cherokee!
Again he give the Boss a slip.
Alabama, John Cherokee!

CHORUS

They catch him again and chain him tight,
Alabama, John Cherokee!
And starve him many a day and night.
Alabama, John Cherokee!

CHORUS

Nothing to drink and nothing to eat,
Alabama, John Cherokee!
He just fall dead at the boss's feet.
Alabama, John Cherokee!

CHORUS

So they bury him by the old gate post,
Alabama, John Cherokee!
The very same day you can see his ghost.
Alabama, John Cherokee!

CHORUS

Very soon his ghost could be seen,
Alabama, John Cherokee!
Sitting on the hatch all wet and green.
Alabama, John Cherokee!

CHORUS

John Cherokee was an Indian man,
Alabama, John Cherokee!
He run away every time he can.
Alabama, John Cherokee!

CHORUS

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