John Henry

Basics

• A USA Folk Hero
• Thus Both
  • An ideal/hero
  • And for many then and now: an Everyman
• Sometimes intrpreted as an anti technology sentiment
  • Many of the criticisms can be summed up as:
    • Steam Engines Blew Up FREQUENTLY pre-overpressure valves etc
    • Steam engines were bought for profit, not FLOSFALQASP (ie robber baron vs ose's endgame, thus a False Equivalence
• More so on the Treatment of the Worker (it was from industrializing usa where workers were expendable toolheads not people (and many are to this day) )
• Thus a pre-existing, good (albeit good), and fun/goofy rhythm song
• Thus a great thing for yell singing at a bar and/or protest

Internal Links

• OSE Songs

External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on John Henry
• Audio of the Song, more serious
• Example of it's use in goof pop culture as well