(alternate title: John Henry (and all its variants) see Track 18).
This is another song from the John Henry legend. Apparently John Hurt learned this song in 1916 from a railroad worker named Walter Jackson while working as a rail hand (Steve Calt, notes to Yazoo 1065). As seen in the discography for Track 18, this song is wide spread in the United States and has been adapted many ways. For a biography and additional information on Hurt see Track 21.
OTHER RECORDED VERSIONS include:
Traditional American Folk: as Spike Driver Blues: Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson (SF 40005c, VF 9026a); Doc Watson (UA 601a, VG 9/10c, VG 155/8c).
Folksong revival: as Spike Driver Blues: Alan Senauke and Eric Thompson (FF 393a).
Bluegrass: as Spike Driver Blues: Larry Perkins (Pinecastle 1022c).
Blues: as Spike Driver Blues, a later version by Hurt on VG 79220c, VG 77002c).
Rock: as Spike Driver Blues: Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead 40054c).
