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.
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