Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend
Scott Reynolds Nelson
The ballad "John Henry" is the most recorded folk song in American history and John Henry--the mighty railroad man who could blast through rock faster than a steam drill--is a towering figure in our culture.
In Steel Drivin' Man, Scott Reynolds Nelson recounts the true story of the man behind the iconic American hero, telling the poignant tale of a young Virginia convict who died working on one of the most dangerous enterprises of the time, the first rail route through the Appalachian Mountains. Using census data, penitentiary reports, and railroad company reports, Nelson reveals how John Henry, victimized by Virginia's notorious Black Codes, was shipped to the infamous Richmond Penitentiary to become prisoner number 497, and was forced to labor on the mile-long Lewis Tunnel for the C&O railroad. Equally important, Nelson masterfully captures the life of the ballad of John Henry, tracing the song's evolution from the first printed score by blues legend W. C. Handy, to Carl Sandburg's use of the ballad to become the first "folk singer," to the upbeat version by Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Attractively illustrated with numerous images, Steel Drivin' Man offers a marvelous portrait of a beloved folk song--and a true American legend.
Duration - 6h 12m.
Author - Scott Reynolds Nelson.
Narrator - Panama Jackson.
Published Date - Tuesday, 24 January 2023.
Copyright - © 2006 Scott Reynolds Nelson ©.
Location:
United States
Networks:
Scott Reynolds Nelson
Panama Jackson
Marginal Mediaworks, Inc.
English Audiobooks
Findaway Audiobooks
Description:
The ballad "John Henry" is the most recorded folk song in American history and John Henry--the mighty railroad man who could blast through rock faster than a steam drill--is a towering figure in our culture. In Steel Drivin' Man, Scott Reynolds Nelson recounts the true story of the man behind the iconic American hero, telling the poignant tale of a young Virginia convict who died working on one of the most dangerous enterprises of the time, the first rail route through the Appalachian Mountains. Using census data, penitentiary reports, and railroad company reports, Nelson reveals how John Henry, victimized by Virginia's notorious Black Codes, was shipped to the infamous Richmond Penitentiary to become prisoner number 497, and was forced to labor on the mile-long Lewis Tunnel for the C&O railroad. Equally important, Nelson masterfully captures the life of the ballad of John Henry, tracing the song's evolution from the first printed score by blues legend W. C. Handy, to Carl Sandburg's use of the ballad to become the first "folk singer," to the upbeat version by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Attractively illustrated with numerous images, Steel Drivin' Man offers a marvelous portrait of a beloved folk song--and a true American legend. Duration - 6h 12m. Author - Scott Reynolds Nelson. Narrator - Panama Jackson. Published Date - Tuesday, 24 January 2023. Copyright - © 2006 Scott Reynolds Nelson ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:26
Dedication
Duration:00:00:09
Chapter 1: The Search for John Henry
Duration:00:33:53
Chapter 2: To the White House
Duration:00:42:43
Chapter 3: Wiseman’s Grocery
Duration:00:36:55
Chapter 4: Ward-Well
Duration:00:32:21
Chapter 5: Man Versus Mountain
Duration:00:43:45
Chapter 6: The Southern Railway Octopus
Duration:00:52:52
Chapter 7: Songs People Have Sung: 1900–1930
Duration:01:00:47
Chapter 8: Communist Strongman
Duration:00:51:10
Coda
Duration:00:10:36
Acknowledgments
Duration:00:06:02
Ending Credits
Duration:00:00:42