Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Day 234 of the American Songbag Stay-at-Home Series
A work song related to "John Henry."
Sandburg writes: "This, as sung on western railroads, probably derives from the famous John Henry ballad. It may be sung with pick and shovel motions for the tamping of railroad ties or the swings of a hammer breaking hard rock, "ever since" for one stroke, "Uncle John" with another stroke, "Henry been" once more, "dead" once more, and so on."
Day 234 of the American Songbag Stay-at-Home Series
A work song related to "John Henry."
Sandburg writes: "This, as sung on western railroads, probably derives from the famous John Henry ballad. It may be sung with pick and shovel motions for the tamping of railroad ties or the swings of a hammer breaking hard rock, "ever since" for one stroke, "Uncle John" with another stroke, "Henry been" once more, "dead" once more, and so on."
