Bobert says:

"I think that the greatest part of the story is that it can be interpreted on different levels and perspectives; man vrs. machine, spirit vrs. intellect, boss (ruling class) vrs. worker (slave), courage vrs. cowardace, etc. I think this is why the legend is just that and why it continues to be be told and sung.

"I hope this doesn't seem to simplified but, hey, that's the way I appreciate John Henry."

Good insight.

"As to the birthplace, I'd have to guess either Virginia, Wst Virginia or Tennessee becayse of the anount of coal mining in those states. Coal mining and tuneeling were very similar. A driver and a shaker and something that went boom. Not tto high tech. So I would guess that John Henry, if he actaylly existed, was from a mining area."

Alabama is noted for its extensive coal, iron ore, and limestone deposits and the steel industry, centered around Bessemer, that exploits them.

"BTW, in 1873, the longest tuneel ever dug was opened in Richmond, Virginia. The Churchill Tunnel, over 3900 feet long, was opened that year afetr two years of sweat and blood. In 1925 ut collapsed on a work tyain killing the engineer, the fireman and a still inknow number of black laborers whose bodies are still in the tunnel... "

Big Bend Tunnel West Virginia Completed 1872 6,560 feet

Hoosac Tunnel Northwestern Massachusetts Completed 1874 25,081 feet

Mr. Cenis Tunnel Swiss Alps Completed 1871 40,135 feet