John Hardy (song)

John Hardy (song)

"John Hardy" is a traditional American folk song based on the life of a railroad worker in West Virginia. The historical John Hardy killed a man during a craps game, was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and was hanged on January 19, 1894. The song has been performed by Roscoe Holcomb, Leadbelly (Huddie William Ledbetter), the Carter Family, Tommy Jarrell, Bob Dylan, Uncle Tupelo, Gun Club, George Thorogood, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie (who called the song "John Harty"), Jerry Reed, Tony Rice, Bill Frisell (both as a solo artist and with Petra Haden), Chris Smither, Martin Simpson, Burl Ives, banjo player Dock Boggs, and Austin Singer/Songwriter Michael Fracasso among others. John Mellencamp recorded a version (his version is named Johnny Hart) as well.

The first known recording is by Eva Davis on Columbia Records in 1924. As with other folk songs, lyrics change from version to version.

Early folk historians confused the ballads of John Hardy and John Henry. This lead to a mixing of stories related to the outlaw and the steel driver. Investigation into the John Henry myth helped separate these figures.

ee Also

* Stagger Lee is another standard folk ballad of a gambler-turned-murderer.

External links

* [http://www.bobdylanroots.com/jhardy.html John Hardy (three variants)]
* [http://www.wvculture.org/HISTORY/thisdayinwvhistory/0119.html Historical account of John Hardy's trial and execution]


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