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John Henry

from Of The Red Dirt State by The Eyes

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about

Our dear friend, Alecia Robinson, asked for a song about John Henry. Here it is.

lyrics

John Henry would your heart break?
Would it break a second time
To wake in this century?
Would you weep, would you weep, would you weep?
Would you weep to leave your grave
To leave a time of things hand-made and
Find us clutching our machines, and stuck beside TVs?

John Henry at the sight of our automated lives
Would you hang your head and cry?
Great Hammer from the Sky!
If you fell back to the earth, achieved
Some kind of second birth
Would the tears run from your eyes?
Would you shake our shoulders and cry? - Sayin’

What have you done with the working man?
Where have you gone strong woman?
Lord, get me a nail and some steel
All we need is a track, some rails
Just give me a hammer

Oh, that voice it hits so true!
Yeah, that ringin’ steel so clear,
Like a hammer driving fire!
A hammer driving fire!
Oh, the storm cloud of your arms
The thunder rollin’ through your lungs -
Is it strong enough to break us?
From our luxuries to shake us?

Do not despair!
The hand at rest – Take hold the hammer!
Do not despair!
Lift up your head – Take hold the hammer!

credits

from Of The Red Dirt State, track released March 31, 2011
Cajon by Matt Broweleit
Violin and Death Chord by Sierra Lord-Halvorson
Hammer by Meag Diamond

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The Eyes Seattle, Washington

We believe in "do-it-yourself" and "use-what-you-got". Music has to be a hands on experience. It's creation over consumption. It's the book we just finished, the friend we just met, the laundry and the dishes. It's every sunset and celebration - sung out loud. Grab a banjo or a pan from the kitchen. This is a free-for-all. ... more

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