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| {{Other uses|John Henry (disambiguation)}} | {{Other uses|John Henry (disambiguation)}} | ||
| ]]] | ]]] | ||
| '''John Henry''' is an American ], notable for having raced against a ] and won, only to die in victory with his hammer in his hand. |
'''John Henry''' is an American ], notable for having raced against a ] and won, only to die in victory with his hammer in his hand. He has been the subject of numerous songs, stories, plays, and novels. | ||
| == |
==History== | ||
| {{unreferenced section|date=May 2010}} | |||
| Like other "Big Men" such as ] and ], John Henry also served as a mythical representation of a group within the melting pot of the 19th-century working class. In the most popular version of the story, Henry is born into the world big and strong weighing 330 pounds. He grows to become the greatest "steel-driver" in the mid-century push to erect the ]s across the mountains to the West.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/johnhenry/index.html |title=NPR : John Henry, Present at the Creation |date= |accessdate=2011-08-14}}</ref> When the owner of the railroad buys a ] to do the work of his mostly black driving crew, to save his job and the jobs of his men, John Henry challenges the owner to a contest: himself alone versus the steam hammer. John Henry beats the machine, but exhausted, collapses and dies. | |||
| In modern depictions John Henry is often portrayed as hammering down rail spikes, but older versions depict him as being born with a hammer in his hand; driving blasting holes into rock, part of the process of excavating railroad tunnels and cuttings. | |||
| In almost all versions of the story, John Henry is a black man, a folk hero for American working-class people, representing their marginalization during changes entering the machine age in America. While the character may or may not have been based on a real person, Henry became an important symbol of the working class. His story is usually seen as an archetypal illustration of the futility of fighting the technological progress that was evident in the 19th century taking over from traditional physical labor roles. Some ] interpret the legend as illustrating that even the most skilled workers of time-honored practices are marginalized when companies are more interested in efficiency and production than in their employees' health and well-being.{{dubious|date=January 2011}} Although John Henry proved himself more powerful than the steam-drill, he worked himself to death and was replaced by the machine anyway. Thus the legend of John Henry has been a staple of American labor and mythology for well over one hundred years. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Cultural |
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| ===Literature=== | |||
| Henry is the subject of the ] ] novel '']'', illustrated by noted woodcut artist ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} It was adapted into a ] in 1940, starring ] in the title role. ]'s 2001 novel '']'' uses the John Henry myth as story background.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| The legend of John Henry was the inspiration for the third version of the ] superhero ] — also known as ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} He is depicted fighting the ] in the ] in the 2003 limited series '']'', set in the 1950s.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| John Henry is also the character in a book called ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| John Henry is also a character in a short story entitled, “The Ballad of Eskimo Nell Revisited” by Jim Reader, which appears in the anthology, ''Ladies of Trade Town'', Lee Martindale (editor), HarpHaven Press, 2011{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| In a book series called "The Clockwork Dark" by John Claude Bemis, a character named Conker is the son of John Henry.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} The series is based on American Folktales and Tall Tales.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} Instead of fighting a steam drill, Henry destroyed a terrible machine that threatened mankind.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} The machine was created by a villain called the Gog.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ===Song=== | |||
| Songs featuring the story of John Henry have been sung by many blues, folk, and rock musicians, such as: ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ] & ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ],{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ]{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} and ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ], "The Father of ] Music," sings "Nine Pound Hammer", which has become a ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} John Henry Brown is the main character in the song "Walk on Boy" recorded by ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ] wrote his own variation called "John Henry", as did Tennessee Ernie Ford.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ] wrote and performed "The Legend of John Henry's Hammer", one of many requested songs he performed at ], ] in 1968.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ] performed "More About John Henry", which explored John Henry's personal life.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ] recorded a song in 1967 entitled "Treat Me Nice John Henry". ] band ] named their 1994 album '']''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ] recorded a ] version on his 1998 album '']''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} More recently, ] performed the song with a folk band on his 2006 album '']''. ] group ] released the song "John Henry Split My Heart" on their 2003 album '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.magnoliaelectricco.com/archives/82 |title=Discography » Magnolia Electric Co. - Magnolia Electric Co |publisher=Magnolia Electric Co. |date= |accessdate=2010-07-20}}</ref> and fellow alt-country group ] released the song "The Day John Henry Died" on their 2004 album '']''.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} ]'s "Song for Sonny Liston", from his 2004 album '']'', compares ]'s left jab to Henry's hammer, but ]'s left was also known as Henry's hammer, possibly because of John Henry's hammer.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| American composer ] arranged the traditional "John Henry" for orchestra or chamber orchestra in 1940. ] recorded the song in 1960.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| The song was translated into ] as "Jon Henry" in 1973 by ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.musicfromnorway.com/default.aspx?norwegian=album&music=14640 | title=Odd Børretzen & Alf Cranner | publisher=This is Music From Norway}}</ref> | |||
| ] have also used the "John Henry" song as part of their folk satire routine.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ] has also used the "John Henry" song as a part of his blues album ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ]'s 1977 album "Thanks to the Following" includes the parody "Mail-Sortin' Man," about a Canadian postal worker named John Henry who can sort mail faster than the steam-sorter.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ===Film=== | |||
| Stop-motion animator ] made the 7-minute short "John Henry and the Inky-Poo" in 1946.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} It was nominated for an ] the following year for best short subject/cartoons.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ⚫ | In 1973, Nick Bosustow and David Adams co-produced an 11-minute animated short, ''The Legend of John Henry''<ref>Who's Who in Animated Cartoons by Jeff Lenburg, p. 33</ref> for ]. |
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| In 1995, he appeared in the live-action Disney movie "]" portrayed by ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| In 2000, ] completed a short subject film based on John Henry, directed by ], written by Shirley Pierce, with ] as story supervisor, and produced by Steven Keller.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} The creators worked with the ]-winning group ] to create all new songs for the film.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} The film also featured the voice talent of actress ]. The film was one of seven finalists for the 2001 Academy Awards in its category.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} An edited version was released only as part of a video compilation entitled '']'' in 2001.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} The film is often shown on the ], particularly during ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} In the Disney movie '']'', John Henry is depicted as losing the battle with the steam powered hammer.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ===Television=== | |||
| John Henry is also referenced in ] as the new name of the reprogrammed T-888 ], a man of metal.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} The terminator had been previously destroyed but was rebuilt: the name serves as a metaphor for the inability of humans to stop the inevitable progress of the ] toward ], and the ] they continually win in trying to do so.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ===Other=== | |||
| In 1996, the ] issued a John Henry 32-cent ], and the American race horse ] was named after him.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| In 2011, ] in ] produced an original play, ''The Day John Henry Came to School'' by Eric Pfeffinger and directed by Janet Stanford.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| In the train building boardgame "Steel Driver" (Treefrog Games 2008) John Henry features on the cover and is cited as the inspiration for the game's name.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| ==Historical Underpinnings?== | |||
| ] | ] | ||
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| {{cite journal | last = Long | first = Roy C. | title = Big Bend Times | {{cite journal | last = Long | first = Roy C. | title = Big Bend Times | ||
| | journal = C&O History | year = 1991}}</ref> | | journal = C&O History | year = 1991}}</ref> | ||
| Another hypothesis is that the competition took place in ].{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} It is said to have happened in Oak Mountain Tunnel, which is supposedly haunted by his ghost.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} Obviously there is a big difference in location, and even railroad.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} Many engineers will blow their horns in honor of John Henry before entering the north end of the tunnel.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} | |||
| The book ''Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend'' by ], an associate professor of history at the ], argues that John William Henry, (#497) a prisoner in the ] penitentary, leased by the warden to work on the C&O Railway in the 1870s, is the basis for the legendary John Henry<ref>Nelson, p. 39</ref></blockquote> | The book ''Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend'' by ], an associate professor of history at the ], argues that John William Henry, (#497) a prisoner in the ] penitentary, leased by the warden to work on the C&O Railway in the 1870s, is the basis for the legendary John Henry<ref>Nelson, p. 39</ref></blockquote> | ||
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| |last = Clowers |title = John Henry - Leeds connection doesn't exist |work = Leeds News |date = September 14, 2006 |accessdate = September 14, 2006}}</ref> | |last = Clowers |title = John Henry - Leeds connection doesn't exist |work = Leeds News |date = September 14, 2006 |accessdate = September 14, 2006}}</ref> | ||
| Though no documentary proof has emerged to rule out either theory, both Talcott and Leeds use their supposed connections with the legend in promotional and educational literature and events. |
Though no documentary proof has emerged to rule out either theory, both Talcott and Leeds use their supposed connections with the legend in promotional and educational literature and events. Every year, on the weekend after the ], the town of Talcott hosts a celebration known as "John Henry Days." The weekend includes many yard sales, a huge parade, fireworks, and a rubber ducky race against a ]. | ||
| According to family history of John W. Holder's descendants, Polly Holder was cook for the work crews at Talcott, West Virginia. John Holder was the crew foreman that broke the light hole through on the Great Bend Tunnel at Talcott.<ref>Guy Johnson, John Henry, the search for a Negro Legend, pub. 1920</ref> | According to family history of John W. Holder's descendants, Polly Holder was cook for the work crews at Talcott, West Virginia. John Holder was the crew foreman that broke the light hole through on the Great Bend Tunnel at Talcott.<ref>Guy Johnson, John Henry, the search for a Negro Legend, pub. 1920</ref> | ||
| {{clear}} | |||
| ⚫ | ==Cultural impact== | ||
| ⚫ | In 1973, Nick Bosustow and David Adams co-produced an 11-minute animated short, ''The Legend of John Henry''<ref>Who's Who in Animated Cartoons by Jeff Lenburg, p. 33</ref> for ]. It featured narration by ], who also sings a song detailing the legend of John Henry. It was nominated for an Oscar in 1974 for best short subject animated films. | ||
| Songs about John Henry have also been recorded by influential artists across various genres. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| * ] | * ] | ||
| * ] | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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| * Smith, Susan (2010) ''The Captain and John Henry''Xlibris press | * Smith, Susan (2010) ''The Captain and John Henry''Xlibris press | ||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Commons category|John Henry (folk hero)|John Henry}} | {{Commons category|John Henry (folk hero)|John Henry}} | ||
| * Includes a page with the updated abstract of Garst (2002) above. | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| * The Legend of John Henry Information | |||
| {{American tall tales}} | {{American tall tales}} | ||
Revision as of 20:26, 1 September 2011
For other uses, see John Henry (disambiguation).
John Henry is an American folk hero, notable for having raced against a steam powered hammer and won, only to die in victory with his hammer in his hand. He has been the subject of numerous songs, stories, plays, and novels.
History
The truth about John Henry as the strongest man alive is obscured by time and myth, but one legend has it that he was a slave born in Missouri in the 1840s and fought his notable battle with the steam hammer along the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in Talcott, West Virginia. A statue and memorial plaque have been placed along a highway south of Talcott as it crosses over the tunnel in which the competition may have taken place.
The railroad historian Reagan C. Long found that there were multiple tunnels along the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railway. Also, the C&O employed multiple black men who went by the name "John Henry" at the time that those tunnels were being built. Though he could not find any documentary evidence, he believes on the basis of anecdotal evidence that the contest between man and machine did indeed happen at the Talcott, West Virginia, site because of the presence of all three (a man named John Henry, a tunnel named Big Bend, and a steam-powered drill) at the same time at that place.
The book Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend by Scott Reynolds Nelson, an associate professor of history at the College of William and Mary, argues that John William Henry, (#497) a prisoner in the Virginia penitentary, leased by the warden to work on the C&O Railway in the 1870s, is the basis for the legendary John Henry
Nelson points out that a steam drill race at the Big Bend Tunnel would have been impossible because railroad records do not indicate a steam drill being used there. Instead, he believes the contest took place at the Lewis Tunnel, between Talcott and Millboro, Virginia, where prisoners worked beside steam drills. Nelson also believes that an early version of the ballad that refers to John Henry's grave as being at "the white house", "in sand", and somewhere that locomotives roar, indicates that he was buried at the Virginia penitentiary, where unmarked graves have been found.
According to Nelson:
....workers managed their labor by setting a "stint," or pace, for it. Men who violated the stint were shunned....Here was a song that told you what happened to men who worked too fast: they died ugly deaths; their entrails fell on the ground. You sang the song slowly, you worked slowly, you guarded your life, or you died.
Retired chemistry professor and folklorist John Garst has argued that the contest instead happened at the Coosa Mountain Tunnel or the Oak Mountain Tunnel of the Columbus and Western Railway (now part of Norfolk Southern) near Leeds, Alabama on September 20, 1887. Based on documentation that corresponds with the account of C. C. Spencer, who claimed in the 1920s to have witnessed the contest, Garst speculates that John Henry may have been a man named Henry who was born a slave to P.A.L. Dabney, the father of the chief engineer of that railroad, in 1850. The city of Leeds is making plans to honor John Henry's legend with an exhibit in its Bass House historical museum and with a planned annual festival culminating on the third Saturday of September.
Though no documentary proof has emerged to rule out either theory, both Talcott and Leeds use their supposed connections with the legend in promotional and educational literature and events. Every year, on the weekend after the Fourth of July, the town of Talcott hosts a celebration known as "John Henry Days." The weekend includes many yard sales, a huge parade, fireworks, and a rubber ducky race against a paddle steamer.
According to family history of John W. Holder's descendants, Polly Holder was cook for the work crews at Talcott, West Virginia. John Holder was the crew foreman that broke the light hole through on the Great Bend Tunnel at Talcott.
Cultural impact
In 1973, Nick Bosustow and David Adams co-produced an 11-minute animated short, The Legend of John Henry for Paramount Pictures. It featured narration by Roberta Flack, who also sings a song detailing the legend of John Henry. It was nominated for an Oscar in 1974 for best short subject animated films.
Songs about John Henry have also been recorded by influential artists across various genres.
See also
References
- Long, Roy C. (1991). "Big Bend Times". C&O History.
- Nelson, p. 39
- Grimes, William. "Taking Swings at a Myth, With John Henry the Man", New York Times, Books section, October 18, 2006.
- Downes, Lawrence. "John Henry Days", New York Times, Books section, April 18, 2008.
- "John Henry - The Story - Lewis Tunnel". Ibiblio.org. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
- Nelson, p. 32
- Garst, John (2002). "Chasing John Henry in Alabama and Mississippi: A Personal Memoir of Work in Progress". Tributaries: Journal of the Alabama Folklife Association. 5: 92–129.
- Thornton, William (September 3, 2006). "Leeds' plans for saluting Henry". Birmingham News.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - Clowers, Don (September 14, 2006). "John Henry - Leeds connection doesn't exist". Leeds News.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - Guy Johnson, John Henry, the search for a Negro Legend, pub. 1920
- Who's Who in Animated Cartoons by Jeff Lenburg, p. 33
Further reading
- Johnson, Guy B. (1929) John Henry: Tracking Down a Negro Legend. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press
- Chappell, Louis W. (1933) John Henry; A Folk-Lore Study. Reprinted 1968. Port Washington, N.Y.: Kennikat Press
- Keats, Ezra Jack (1965) John Henry, An American Legend. New York: Pantheon Books.
- Williams, Brett (1983) John Henry: A Bio-Bibliography by Brett Williams. Westport, CT.: Greenwood Press
- Nelson, Scott. (Summer 2005) "Who Was John Henry? Railroad Construction, Southern Folklore, and the Birth of Rock and Roll." Labor: Studies in Working-Class History of the Americas Vol. 2. No. 2, pp. 53–79.
- Nelson, Scott (2006). Steel Drivin' Man. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195300109.
- Garst, John (November 27, 2006) "On the Trail of the Real John Henry". History News Network. (includes rebuttal by Scott Nelson)
- Smith, Susan (2010) The Captain and John HenryXlibris press
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