A Steel-driving man is not the same as a man of steel. This song is about THE steel-driving man, John Henry. He was going to beat that steam drill through the mountain if it killed him, which it did….Great tune.
Here’s an instrumental version played by the South Carolina Broadcasters. I loved the energy of this group when we saw them play at Merlefest!
Now here’s a tougher take on the song – Mississippi Fred McDowell….
Merle Travis!
Tommy Jarrell on clawhammer
Let’s go out with Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston
Ya, that one rolls along like the evening train. Nice one.
Oh noes! I dont see George Pegram’s version. I fix. He could rock a banjo but was seriously under-recorded