Song Spotlight: “John Henry”

• Mood: Determined

• Themes: Songs about the railroad, folk songs

• Tempo: Moderate with an accelerando through the song

• Genre/Style: Traditional circa 1870

Folk songs have traditionally been passed down from generation to generation through singing. Only more recently have collectors recorded and written down these songs. They often feature melodies that can easily be sung along to and have a message or a story to tell.

In the United States, folk music began to gain a wider popularity in the 1940s and eventually became the folk revival movement of the 1960s. Many artists known today came out of the movement, including Lead Belly, Odetta, The Weavers, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and more. 

The tune “John Henry” is one of the most famous ballads in America. A multitude of folk artists have performed this song through the years, and its origins trace back to both ballads and hammer songs (a type of work song). There are speculations about whether the ballads or hammer songs came about at the same time or if one predated the other, but together we have a wide array of songs that tell a similar story. 

Odetta, known as the “Queen of American folk music,” sang one well-known version of this song. She got her start in music by singing in an operatic style before eventually finding her way to folk music in the 1950s. She was a key artist in the folk revival movement who inspired the younger artists like Mavis Staples, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. 

 Here are some of the lyrics:

When John Henry was a little baby,

Sittin’ on his momma’s knee,

Said, “The Big Bend Tunnel on the C & O Road

Is gonna be the death of me, Lord,

Be the death of me.”

This is a great song to use within a group. It would also go well with a collection of songs of freedom or revolutions. It can be used as a transition into reminiscence, an opportunity for musical engagement, movement and more! 

Try This:

Theme: This song would fit well into a collection of folk songs or railroad songs. Other complementary songs may include “Rock Island Line,” “Goodnight Irene,” and “Midnight Special.”

Invite the group to share other favorite folk songs, and if they don’t like folk songs, discuss what other music tells stories and listen to some of the shared songs. 

Play instruments along with the song following the gradual speeding up of the song.  

You can do rhythmic movement to this song like kicking or choose a few rhythmic arm movements to add variety.

Read the story of John Henry, then read this document from the Library of Congress that tells of the search for whether John Henry was a real person in history or a fictional character. 

For more song spotlights, visit our Song Spotlights page.