His parents, who were farmers, died when McDowell was a youth. He started playing guitar at the age of 14 and played at dances around Rossville. Wanting a change from ploughing fields, he moved to Memphis in 1926 where he worked in a number of jobs and played music for tips. He settled in Como, Mississippi, about 40 miles south of Memphis, in 1940 or 1941, and worked steadily as a farmer, continuing to perform music at dances, and picnics. Initially he played slide guitar using a pocket knife and then a slide made from a beef rib bone, later switching to a glass slide for its clearer sound. He played with the slide on his ring finger.
A pure hill country blues musician, he played "just the straight, natural blues," and he "do not play no rock and roll." McDowell initially played the recognizable resonator guitar but, during tours and recordings beginning in the 1960s, he adopted the use of electric guitar and was probably the first original delta- or country blues musician to do so. McDowell's style is distinctive and recognizable; perhaps the dirtiest sounding guitarist ever and one of the most influential. The slide guitar styles of Bonnie Raitt as well as Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, as well as Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys are all heavily influenced by McDowell's technique.
McDowell died of cancer in 1972 and is buried at Hammond Hill M.B. Church, between Como and Senatobia. On August 6, 1993 a memorial was placed on the gravesite of Mississippi Fred McDowell at the Hammond Hill Baptist Church cemetery by the Mt. Zion Memorial Fund.
John Henry
Mississippi Fred McDowell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
appears on the album Mississippi Fred McDowell (1995).
John Henry was a steel-drivin'
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry died, a hammer in his
John Henry died, a hammer in his
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry, he said, just before he died
Lord, John Henry
Lord, John Henry said before he died
Lordy, two more roads he want to ride
Lord, he want
Oh Lord, he want
Lord, I got up one mornin', well, it looked like rain
Look around the curve, come a passenger train
Lord, John
Lord, John Henry said 'fore he died
Lordy, two more roads he want to ride
John Henry had a wife, dress she wore was red
Last word I heard her say, ""I'm goin' where Johnny fell dead.
Lord, I'm
Lord, I'm gwine
Lord, I'm
Lord, I'm goin', John Henry fell
Lord, I'm goin' John Henry
Lord, I'm goin' where John Hen
The song "John Henry" is a traditional folk ballad that tells the story of an African American railroad worker named John Henry who becomes famous for being the fastest and most powerful steel driver in the Southern United States. The song starts with the affirmation of John Henry's profession, "John Henry was a steel-drivin' man". The repeated statement of this line creates a rhythm that matches the sound of hammer hits in manual construction work. The next line, "John Henry died, a hammer in his hand", reveals that the song is a testimony to the man's extraordinary strength that became his downfall. The song then has a verse where John Henry muses about the afterlife and if he can continue to work in it, "...just before he died What are the two more roads that he want to ride Lord, John Henry Lord, John Henry said before he died Lordy, two more roads he want to ride". The song's final verses speaks of John Henry's wife and his legacy, "John Henry had a wife, dress she wore was red Last word I heard her say, ""I'm goin' where Johnny fell dead".
Line by Line Meaning
John Henry was a steel-drivin'
John Henry was a man who worked as a steel driver, using his hammer to drill holes into rock to make space for explosives.
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry was known for his expertise and strength as a steel driver. He was a respected and hardworking individual in his profession.
John Henry died, a hammer in his
John Henry passed away while on the job, with his hammer in his hand. He worked until the very end of his life.
John Henry died, a hammer in his
John Henry passed away while on the job, with his hammer in his hand. He worked until the very end of his life.
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry was known for his expertise and strength as a steel driver. He was a respected and hardworking individual in his profession.
John Henry, he said, just before he died
John Henry spoke his last words before he died. These words were very significant and memorable to those who heard them.
What are the two more roads that he want to ride
John Henry wanted to know about two more jobs he could complete before he passed away. Even in his last moments, he was focused on his work.
Lord, John Henry
This phrase serves as a way to start or end a statement about John Henry. It acknowledges his presence and importance in the story or song.
Lord, John Henry said before he died
John Henry spoke his last words before he passed away. His words were significant and memorable to those who heard them.
Lordy, two more roads he want to ride
John Henry wanted to know about two more jobs he could complete before he passed away. Even in his last moments, he was focused on his work.
Lord, he want
John Henry desired to complete more work before he passed away. It was a driving force behind much of what he did in life.
Oh Lord, he want
John Henry desired to complete more work before he passed away. It was a driving force behind much of what he did in life.
Lord, I got up one mornin', well, it looked like rain
The singer tells a story about waking up one morning to the sight of dark storm clouds gathering in the sky.
Look around the curve, come a passenger train
While the singer was observing the stormy weather, a passenger train suddenly appeared around the curve of the tracks.
Lord, John
This phrase serves as a way to start or end a statement about John Henry. It acknowledges his presence and importance in the story or song.
Lord, John Henry said 'fore he died
John Henry made a significant statement before he passed away. His last words were memorable to those who heard them.
Lordy, two more roads he want to ride
John Henry wanted to know about two more jobs he could complete before he passed away. Even in his last moments, he was focused on his work.
John Henry had a wife, dress she wore was red
John Henry had a wife who wore a red dress. This detail adds more depth to his personal life and background.
Last word I heard her say,
The singer recalls hearing John Henry's wife say something significant in the past. This adds more depth to the story and the characters involved.
"I'm goin' where Johnny fell dead.
John Henry's wife expresses her desire to visit the place where her husband passed away. This is a poignant moment in the story and highlights the emotional impact of John Henry's death.
Lord, I'm
This phrase serves as a way to start or end a statement about one's own intentions or actions. It acknowledges the writer or narrator's presence.
Lord, I'm gwine
The writer or narrator expresses their intention to go somewhere or do something. This is an important detail in the story or song.
Lord, I'm
This phrase serves as a way to start or end a statement about one's own intentions or actions. It acknowledges the writer or narrator's presence.
Lord, I'm goin', John Henry fell
The artist expresses their intention to visit the place where John Henry passed away. This is an emotional moment in the story that highlights the impact of John Henry's life and death.
Lord, I'm goin' John Henry
The singer reiterates their desire to visit the place where John Henry passed away. This shows the singer's connection to John Henry and their respect for him.
Lord, I'm goin' where John Hen
The singer is committed to visiting the place where John Henry passed away. This is an important detail in the story or song that shows the emotional impact of John Henry's life and death.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DP, Varl, B. Ey, L. Donegan, W. Whyton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joshn938
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry died, a hammer in his hand
John Henry died, a hammer in his hand
John Henry was a steel-drivin' man
John Henry, he said, just before he died
What are the two more roads that he want to ride
Lord, John Henry
Lord, John Henry said before he died
Lordy, two more roads he want to ride
Lord, he want
Oh Lord, he want
Lord, I got up one mornin', well, it looked like rain
Look around the curve, come a passenger train
Lord, John
Lord, John Henry said 'fore he died
Lordy, two more roads he want to ride
John Henry had a wife, dress she wore was red
Last word I heard her say, "I'm goin' where Johnny fell dead.
Lord, I'm
Lord, I'm gwine
Lord, I'm
Lord, I'm goin', John Henry fell
Lord, I'm goin' John Henry
Lord, I'm goin' where John Henry fell
@edboswell7986
Fred was a friend of mine. For real. I met him at the Ash Grove in LA, and we talked on the phone a lot, which cost me all the money I had at the time. Money well spent. I requested this song, which he played on the first of 3 sets that night. It was a double bill with the Persuasions, but I never saw them, because Fred invited me into his dressing room to talk about things. Precious memories.
@WreckingBallers
Ed Boswell if that's true, that's amazing. You knew a legend.
@jeffbuckley4453
i dont believe it.
@rabokarabekian409
@Jeff Buckley Based on what evidence?
@katmandew2152
Hey brother, I had that experience with Memphis slim at sweet basil in NYc 39 years ago. THANX for sharing. I was never the same after meeting him.peace.
@hodie3591
Nothing more said.
@SCWoodbury2009
I never get tired of this. I can listen to this over and over again. Indeed I have. His playing is hypnotic. His sound is irresistible. I'm so grateful for this music.
@SpaceBarbarian
Shane Woodbury he put a little of his own southern gospel twist on things I feel. I’ve learned to play several of his songs but some of them are really hard to make sound the way he played them. He just had something special
@randyraeder2333
"Hypnotic" is right. I don't suggest driving a motor vehicle while playing this recording. I almost lost control of my pickup truck on highway 118 north of Terlingua, Texas back in 1994.
@smoothoperator7023
@@randyraeder2333NJ Turnpike northbound Aug. 21, 2023. Yes, us northern folk get down with this man as well.