Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C)
Read:
- Wikipedia on John Henry
NPR's coverage: Present at the Creation
On the above page, click on the audio icons to hear a news story and a recording of the ballad song, as well as the lyrics to one particular recording.
On the above site, choose two versions of the song, and come to class with a one-paragraph statement that characterizes the textual differences between your chosen texts.
In what ways is the John Henry story a tall-tale? How is it social commentary? Is it primarily a story about technology, or about race? Is it too simplistic to say "both"?
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Kayla Lesko on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): http://blogs.setonhill.edu/Kay
Jered Johnston on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): John Henry was a steel drivin'
Sarah Durham on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): John Henry is an American folk
Jamie Grace on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): "John Henry stands tall, broad
Jennifer Prex on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): "John Henry was a railroad man
Meagan Gemperlein on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): A Determined Man http://blogs
Jeremy Barrick on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): "John Henry was a railroad man
Heather Mourick on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): I am still so lost... http://
JessicaPierce on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): John Henry: A Tale of Hope
Jessica Apitsch on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): Man vs The World
Jered Johnston on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): John Henry was a steel drivin'
Sarah Durham on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): John Henry is an American folk
Jamie Grace on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): "John Henry stands tall, broad
Jennifer Prex on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): "John Henry was a railroad man
Meagan Gemperlein on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): A Determined Man http://blogs
Jeremy Barrick on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): "John Henry was a railroad man
Heather Mourick on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): I am still so lost... http://
JessicaPierce on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): John Henry: A Tale of Hope
Jessica Apitsch on Traditional, "John Henry" (late 19th C): Man vs The World
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This blog examines folklore songs in connection with the John Henry legend.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/KatieLantz/2009/11/oh_john_henry.html
Man vs The World
John Henry: A Tale of Hope
I am still so lost...
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/HeatherMourick/2009/11/confusion_on_tall_tales.html
"John Henry was a railroad man,
He worked from six 'till five" (Ballad of John Henry)
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JeremyBarrick/2009/11/el_266_john_henry_the_mighty_f.html
A Determined Man
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MeaganGemperlein/2009/11/a_determined_man.html
"John Henry was a railroad man, / He worked from six 'till five"
~stanza one of an early version
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JenniferPrex/2009/11/the_steel_driving_man.html
"John Henry stands tall, broad shoulders above the rest" (para. 1)
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JamieGrace/2009/11/how_tall_you_are.html
John Henry is an American folk hero, famous for having raced against a steam powered hammer and won, only to die in victory with his hammer in his hand" (wikipedia)
John Henry was a steel drivin' man,
He died with a hammah in his han',
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JeredJohnston/2009/12/john_henry-americana_in_its_pu.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/KaylaLesko/2009/12/oh_henry.html