The Legend of John Henry

The folk legend of John Henry, and his contest with a steam engine to cut a railroad tunnel through a mountain, is told in song by Roberta Flack.

There is something almost Discobolus-like about the animated depiction of the eponymous gent who was no stranger to hard labour. It's the expansive railroad building programme that provides his work, regardless of the natural obstacles that stood in their way - and that includes a mountain! He determines to finish a tunnel, but when progress is a little slow the bosses bring in a steam-powered drill. The race is on - can his brute strength work more quickly that this machine? I thought there was something of the "Jesus Christ Superstar" to the descriptively written musical accompaniment from Roberta Flack here. The whole story is sung, with tenderness and determination, telling a story that symbolises quite powerfully the efforts and dangers of those who help America grow. The style of almost painted animation shows the muscles flex and you can almost see the beads of sweat too as his man perseveres. Original and well worth ten minutes.