American Horror Story
2011
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John Henry Lyrics: John Henry was about three days old / Sittin' on his papa's knee / He picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel; / Said, 'Hammer's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord
John Henry is a symbol of physical strength and endurance, of exploited labor, of the dignity of a human being against the degradations of the machine age, and of racial pride and solidarity. During World War II his image was used in U.S. government propaganda as a symbol of social tolerance and diversity. [14]
- 1840s or 1850s
- American folk hero
Learn the story and lyrics of John Henry, a folk song about a man who competes with a steam drill on a tunnel project and dies from exhaustion. Find out the history, variations and artists who recorded this song.
Although there were songs about John Henry, there were few stories of him, and, like Paul Bunyan, he is not truly a folk hero. The imaginative treatment by Roark Bradford in John Henry (1931) made the name known to many Americans. John Henry has been depicted in numerous works of art and has inspired film and television plots, but the story ...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The lyrics depict the legendary tale of John Henry, an African American “steel-driving man” who worked on the railroad during the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. John Henry was renowned for his exceptional strength and skills with a hammer. The song begins with John Henry defiantly asserting that a man is more than just a ...
Apr 24, 2024 · The Lyrics of “John Henry”. The lyrics of “John Henry” are simple but powerful. The song tells the story of a man who works tirelessly to drive railroad spikes into the ground, even in the face of great adversity. The chorus of the song captures the essence of John Henry’s spirit: “John Henry was a steel-driving man / But he went ...
