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John Henry; When John Henry was a little boy, Print in the palm of his hand

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@ University of Arkansas

Vaughn, Joe; Vaughn, Columbus

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voice Collected by Merlin Mitchell Sung by Columbus Vaughn Transcribed by Irene Carlisle (near Wayton, Arkansas) June 15, 1950 Reel 46, Item 4 Disc John Henry When John Henry was a little boy, Print in the palm of his hand And they says "You can tell by the curl in his hair He's goin' to make a steel-drivin' man; He's goin' to make a steel-drivin' man." John Henry had a loving wife, The dress she wore was blue; Threw her arms around Johnnie's neck, Sayin', "Johnnie, I've been good to you; Johnnie, I've been good to you." Johnnie told his checker, "Checker, I'd better pray; Or if I should miss this bar of steel Tomorrow'd be a burying day; Tomorrow'd be a burying day." Last time we saw John Henry He was climabin' up the scaffold high; He's goin' to meet the friends, he's goin' to meet the foes He's goin' where the wild birds fly; He's goin' where the wild birds fly. ic (Additions by Joe Vaughn) John Henry worked in the tunnel And the tunnel caught on fire; Last words we heard John Henry say, "A cool drink of water 'fore I die." Cool drink of water 'fore I die." John Henry had a loving little wife, Her name was Polly Ann; John Henry got sick and laid in bed, And Polly drove steel like a man; Polly drove steel like a man. John Henry went to a nigger crap-game, Said, "I have ten dollars to play; The...
Type:
Text
Format:
Application/Pdfaudio/Mp3
Contributors:
Carlisle, Irene Jones
Created Date:
1950 06 15
Rights:
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From Collection

Ozark Folksong Collection

Record Contributed By

University of Arkansas