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.
- Read this early version of the song, and look at the four later versions that the site offers.
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