John Henry Song

Much of the john henry story can be traced to the author guy johnson who published a book called john henry.

John henry song. John henry was a little baby sitting on the his papa s knee he picked up a hammer and little piece of steel said hammer s gonna be the death of me lord lord hammer s gonna be the death of me. John henry is also referenced in episode 4 of season 6 of the television show how i met your mother his legend briefly told through marshall s song. John henry had a little woman her name was polly anne john henry took sick and was laid up in bed while polly handled steel like a man man man polly handled steel like a man. Justin townes earle for example included a song on his 2009 album midnight at the movies titled they killed john henry a contemporary take on the hard work of being a singer songwriter in the early 21st century earle s invocation of john henry s legend is presented in the context of a statement of.

Johnson obtained lyrics to the song that he estimated were written down in 1900. John henry in folk songs today. Tracking down a negro legend in 1929. This early version was called john henry steel driving man and contained 12 stanzas.

The story of john henry is traditionally told through two types of songs. They took john henry to the graveyard laid him down in the sand every locomotive comin a rolling by by by hollered there lies a steel drivin man man man.