John Henry - The Song
The legend of John Henry has continued to grow over time and as the story was passed down from person to person it was also put into song. There are many versions of John Henry available on the net. I chose a version by Mississippi Fred McDowell. McDowell comes from the oral traditions of the blues where he learned the song by ear and is playing his interpretation of the song. You can hear and see how McDowell mutates the lyrics and the phrasing of the song to become his own. In doing so McDowell becomes a storyteller and shapes our view of who John Henry was and what he did. It was in this organic way the legend of John Henry was passed down from generation to generation. Here are the lyrics generally cited to the song John Henry - this version of the song was obtained from Onah L. Spencer of Cincinnati, Ohio. Spencer compiled the song by combining lyrics from a variety of versions he overheard during 25 years of life in an African-American community in Cincinnati. Spencer said the song was used to introduce new workers into the culture of the laboring community "for if there was a slacker in a gang of workers it would stimulate him with its heroic masculine appeal."
John Henry - Pete Seeger's Version
The legend of John Henry has continued to grow over time and as the story was passed down from person to person it was also put into song. There are many versions of John Henry available on the net. I chose a version by Mississippi Fred McDowell. McDowell comes from the oral traditions of the blues where he learned the song by ear and is playing his interpretation of the song. You can hear and see how McDowell mutates the lyrics and the phrasing of the song to become his own. In doing so McDowell becomes a storyteller and shapes our view of who John Henry was and what he did. It was in this organic way the legend of John Henry was passed down from generation to generation. Here are the lyrics generally cited to the song John Henry - this version of the song was obtained from Onah L. Spencer of Cincinnati, Ohio. Spencer compiled the song by combining lyrics from a variety of versions he overheard during 25 years of life in an African-American community in Cincinnati. Spencer said the song was used to introduce new workers into the culture of the laboring community "for if there was a slacker in a gang of workers it would stimulate him with its heroic masculine appeal."
John Henry - Pete Seeger's Version
John Henry was about three days old,
Sittin' on his papa's knee. He picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel; Said, "Hammer's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord. Hammer's gonna be the death of me." The captain said to John Henry "Gonna bring that steam drill 'round. Gonna bring that steam drill out on the job. Gonna whop that steel on down. Down, Down. Whop that steel on down." John Henry told his captain, "A man ain't nothin' but a man, But before I let your steam drill beat me Down, I'd die with a hammer in my hand. Lord, Lord. |
I'd dies with a hammer in my hand."
John Henry said to his shaker, "Shaker, why don't you sing? I'm throwin' thirty pounds from my hips on Down. Just listen to that cold steel ring. Lord, Lord. Listen to that cold steel ring." The man that invented the stream drill Thought he was mighty fine, But John Henry made fifteen feet; The steam drill only made nine. Lord, Lord. The steam drill only made nine. John Henry hammered in the mountain His hammer was striking fire. But he worked so hard, he broke his poor Heart. He laid down his hammer and he died. Lord, Lord. |
He laid down his hammer and he died.
John Henry had a little woman. Her name was Polly Ann. John Henry took sick and went to his bed. Polly Ann drove steel like a man. Lord, Lord. Polly Ann drove steel like a man. John Henry had a little baby. You could hold him in the palm of your Hand. The last words I heard that poor boy say, "My daddy was steel-driving man. Lord, Lord. My daddy was a steel-driving." Well, every Monday morning When the bluebirds begin to sing. You can hear John Henry a mile or more. You can hear John Henry's hammer ring. Lord, Lord. You can hear John Henry's hammer ring. |