Who built America?

[AVB]

For anyone interested in the myths, legends and history of an American icon I can heartily suggest you read:

Steel Drivin' Man:
John Henry: the Untold Story of an American Legend
by Scott Reynolds Nelson, Hardback, 224 pages

Absolutely memorizing, I read it in one sitting. One of the best books I've read in a decade.

 

[fivebyfifty]

share the knowledge link

 

[souldog]

I LOVE that book, been looking for it for a while though!

 

[MiamiCubano]

Hey! Hammer-swinger!
I see you brought your own hammer boy but, what all can them muscles do?"
I can turn a jack, I can lay a track, I can pick and shovel too.
Can you swing a hammer, boy?
Yes sir, I'll do anything you hire me to...

With a steel-nosed hammer on a four foot switch handle
John Henry raised it back til' it touched his heels then
The spike went through the cross-tie and split it half in two
Thirty-five cents a day for drivin' steel...

A man ain't nothin' but a man
but if you'll bring that steamdrill 'round I'll beat it fair and honest.
I'll die with that hammer in my hand but, I'll be laughin',
cause you can't replace a steel-drivin' man...

There was a big crowd of people at the mountain.
John Henry said to the steam-drill "How is you?
Pardon me, Mister Steamdrill I suppose you didn't hear me. Huh?
Well, can you turn a jack? Can you lay a track? Can you pick and shovel too?
Listen, this hammer-swinger's talkin' to you...

 

[AVB]

There are over 100 versions of John Henry with the best known as probably Johnny Cash's version.

 

[MiamiCubano]

There are over 100 versions of John Henry with the best known as probably Johnny Cash's version.

 

[cabaiguan juan]

well i was going to say it was built on Rock and Roll, but i guess that is not the correct answer, huh?

 

[MiamiCubano]

well i was going to say it was built on Rock and Roll, but i guess that is not the correct answer, huh?

No, it was *that* city they built on rock and roll...