John Henry and His People - The Historical Origin and Lore of America's Great Folk Ballad (Paperback)

The song "John Henry," perhaps America's greatest folk ballad, is about an African-American steel driver who raced and beat a steam drill, dying "with his hammer in his hand" from the effort. Most singers and historians believe John Henry was a real person, not a fictitious one, and that his story took place in West Virginia-though other places have been proposed. John Garst argues convincingly that it took place near Dunnavant, Alabama, in 1887. The author's reconstruction, based on contemporaneous evidence and subsequent research, uncovers a fascinating story that supports the Dunnavant location and provides new insights. Beyond John Henry, readers will discover the lives and work of his people: Black and white singers; his "captain," contractor Frederick Dabney; C. C. Spencer, the most credible eyewitness; John Henry's wife; the blind singer W. T. Blankenship, who printed the first broadside of the ballad; and later scholars who studied John Henry. The book includes analyses of the song's numerous iterations, several previously unpublished illustrations and a foreword by folklorist Art Rosenbaum.

General

Imprint:	McFarland & Company
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	December 2021
Authors:	John Garst
Dimensions:	229 x 152mm (L x W)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	277
ISBN-13:	978-1-4766-8611-0
Categories:	Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Folk music Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Myths & mythology Books > Humanities > History > American history > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Ethnic studies > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social institutions > Customs & folklore > Folklore Books > History > American history > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Religion & Spirituality > Myths & mythology Books > Music > Folk music
LSN:	1-4766-8611-4
Barcode:	9781476686110

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