“The Ballad of John Henry” (traditional). This mother of protest songs is known variously as “John Henry,” and “The Legend of John Henry”. Developed from a traditional work song or hammer song, the tale of John Henry quintessentially speaks of defiance, protest and perseverance. We have chosen Lead Belly's classic recording from 1939. The song has been recorded by numerous artists through the ages, including Paul Robeson, Woody Guthrie, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen among others.
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Protest Songs: A Turnip Truck(s) List
The word “protest” comes from the Latin noun testis, “one who attests, witness.” To protest thus is to bear witness, to testify publicly, to invoke, in front of or before the public. With this in mind, the editors at The Turnip Truck(s) have compiled a list of what we consider the greatest protest songs of all time. Songs that testify or bear witness to an idea, issue, political or humanitarian problem. Songs that invoke or call upon people to listen, be aware, act. Look for a new protest song every Sunday at The Turnip Truck(s).