A New Backing Track For “John Henry”

“John Henry” is the hero in a popular Traditional folk ballad. It describes his contest with a steam drill, in which John Henry crushed more rock than did the machine, but died “with his hammer in his hand.” Dave Hum didn't record this tune. I used a performance by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs in the key of D as a template to make backing tracks in the keys of G and A for your preference. The song is played in various tunings. Enjoy!

• John Henry Tabs In The Key Of G (by Ben Freed)
• John Henry (a video lesson in the key of G by Jim Pankey)
• John Henry (a video lesson with tabs by John Moore in the key of D)
• John Henry (a video lesson in the key of D by Jim Pankey; no beard version...lol)
• John Henry Tabs In The Key Of D (by Richard Van Patten)
• John Henry (key of A, faster)
• John Henry (key of A, normal)
• John Henry (key of A, slower)
• John Henry (key of A, slow)
• John Henry (key of A, very slow)
• John Henry (key of A, woodshed)
• John Henry (key of G, faster)
• John Henry (key of G, normal)
• John Henry (key of G, slower)
• John Henry (key of G, slow)
• John Henry (key of G, very slow)
• John Henry (key of G, woodshed)
• Check out this blast from the past of Roy Clark (1933-2018)

To make this backing track I used MIDI for the bass, drums and piano. Read audio loops were used for the shaker and tambourine. I use 'MixCraft Pro Studio software' to make all my backing tracks.

Dave Hum

(April 11, 1966 - November 14, 2012)