Justin Townes Earle: They Killed John Henry

Two Sundays ago I was listening to Mountain Stage on West Virginia Public Radio and one of the songs that featured guest Justin Townes Earle performed was “They Killed John Henry.” From his 2009 CD release, “Midnight at the Movies” Earle reworks the classic story of the sledge hammer wielding John Henry as he beat the steam drill in a contest of strength. The result was the Big Bend Tunnel and the death of the hero of the story.

Justin Townes Earle, the son of Steve Earle, was named in honor of Townes Van Zandt and he keeps the roots tradition alive and well. Today’s Traditional Tuesday selection features Justin on guitar and vocals and Cory Younts on the clawhammer banjo. The cut comes from KEXP in Seattle from 2009.

Lyrics

Well when John Henry died, he lay lookin’ at the sun
He said Lord take me now my work is done, Lord, Lord
L
ord, take me now my work is done
Yeah, but when they laid him out in that box of pine, boy

They laid that hammer by his side, Lord, Lord

laid that hammer by his side

Yeah Joe Hill, he worked any job he could find, boy

He’d rake your leaves, and pick your vine, Lord, Lord

Rake your leaves, and pick your vine

Yeah and they killed Joe Hill, put a bullet to his name

But that bullet made a martyr of the same, Lord, Lord

That bullet made a martyr of the same

Yeah, and my granddaddy worked his whole damn life,
Well, he never saved a nickel though he tried, Lord, Lord
Never saved a nickel though he tried

And he died in Tennessee but he couldn’t find no rest,
With that long road to Texas lyin’ ahead, Lord Lord,
that long road to Texas lyin’ ahead

Yessir, I ain’t no great man, and Lord I expect to lead
A long life a’workin’ and you’re dead, Lord, Lord
A long life a’workin’ and you’re dead

They killed John Henry, they killed John Henry
They killed John Henry, but they won’t kill me, Lord

They killed John Henry, they killed John Henry

They killed John Henry, but they won’t kill me.