John Henry

"Songs Lonnie Donegan taught me to love"
Lew Dite with his "baby" Martin.

John Henry is a classic American ballad that pits man against machine. The ballad is based on an actual contest between John Henry and a steam-powered drill at the Big Bend Tunnel in West Virginia about 1870-72. John Henry beat the steam drill fair and square. However, John Henry did not actually die after the contest with the steam drill. His death came later (1873?) when a slab of rock fell from the ceiling and crushed him. It was then that the legend began to grow. The tune is rooted in a Scottish melody, its devices are those of medieval balladry, its content is the courage of the common man beating a raw country into shape.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lew
• Dite
• Lonnie
• Donegan
• skiffle

[raymondcrooke]

Just caught up with this. Excellent rendition.

[lewdite]

Thanks Raymond.

[SirCoughsalot]

GREAT JOB!

[ajb221]

i was humming this song 4 3 days

i love this song

[InternetheroxD]

My favorite is johnny cash's Version

[InternetheroxD]

Quite diffrent, but great!

[coolanddark]

so this is how your supposed to

play John Henry!great job.i think

i`ll take mine down now.lol