Tonight I read bill948's blog about "Moreland and Arbuckle" and there was this song about John Henry. Who in the world is John Henry? Joe Bonamassa and Bruce Springsteen wrote songs too about him. So the guy must stand for something special isn't it? I read the short bio from Wikipedia and I plan to search a little more but if someone could recommend some reading or kind of guide my search I would appreciate. I must admit that by now, I saw his name one time too much to stay ignorant about him or his legend. I shall add that in my part of the world, there is no way that I could have heard from him if it wasn't for music and the net.
Not the hottest thread on the Forum but hey, curiosity got me.
Claude.

John henry was a steel driving man.

A mythical figure who stood for the plight of the working man against mechanization.

legend is he was a member of a gang that drove spikes while laying the railroad. the railroad was introducing a steam powered hammer which threatened to make the men obsolete. According to the tale, John henry set up a contest, or race against the machine. other versions claim it was a steam powered drill, and tunneling.

Either way the consensus is he was 6 ft tall, 200 lbs. and he thought his 20 lbs hammer was light.

the story is that he beat the machine, proving men could work harder, but that the effort killed him, so draw your own conclusions on whose point he proved.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

He raced a steam powered hammer in driving railroad spikes an won proving that a determined man is more powerful then technology or something of that sort

"John Henry" is also the name of the famous traditional song about the legendary deed.

Jeez, what're they teaching in school? Between the self hate and PC doctrine, a little John Henry would be nice.

End of lecture...

Johnny Cash tells the story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxReOxRwS-g

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Ah, Johnny!

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"...Compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees, I am an Apeman."

Twelvebar Beat me to it...
Great Cash song !!-N

Ouch - that seems a little harsh. Not everyone lives in the same country, and your legends are not ours. I'd certainly never heard of John Henry till I read the blub on the Bonamassa CD liner.

Cheers - C

Not to worry. The Brits knew more about our (U.S's)blues roots than we did.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Though I always privately thought there was something a bit odd about guys from West London singing about "When The Levee Breaks" (Zeppelin, obviously). I wonder if at the time they even knew what a levee is...?

Cheers - C

John Henry is the singer for Darkest Hour. (DC/VA band)

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Live guitars: 2009 LTD Truckster, 1989 Strat Plus, 2001 Am Standard Strat, 1996 MIJ Jaguar, 2007 Gibson Explorer 76 reissue, 1999 Ibanez RG7621, LTD MH-301, LTD FM400, 1999 Jackson Kelly, Mystery Les Paul, Hamer Chaparel, Fender FM 62SCE A/E Mandolin

Check out the Bruce Springsteen album We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. There is a John Henry song on there and the album is really good!

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How about a bale of cotton?

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"Another day in paradise!"

John Henry is an owner of the Boston Red Sox.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!