Panama Jackson, narrator of the "Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, The Untold Story of an American Legend" audiobook, cultural commentator, and columnist at the Grio, engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with esteemed experts Dr. Millicent Robinson, Dr. Ben Torsney, and Dr. Jas Sullivan. Together, they delve into the profound cultural significance of John Henryism within Black communities, particularly as individuals navigate the challenges of systemic oppression and racism. The conversation explores the intricacies of this high-effort coping style, shedding light on its impact on both the mental and physical health outcomes across diverse Black populations.

Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, The Untold Story of an American Legend is available wherever books are sold. The audiobook is available on Spotify, Apple, Audible and anywhere else you listen to audiobooks.

Steel Drivin' Man - Bonus Chapter 2: Unraveling the John Henryism Phenomenon

“The Ballad of John Henry” is the most reproduced folk song of all time, and like the ballad the character John Henry looms large in our culture, coming up in various forms of entertainment, literature and art time and time again. Filmmakers of the 2020 film “John Henry” Will Forbes and Douglas Skinner join Panama Jackson,narrator of the "Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, The Untold Story of an American Legend" audiobook, cultural commentator, and columnist at the Grio, and author Scott Reynolds Nelson to discuss the enduring fasincationation and presence of the John Henry archetype in pop culture.

Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, The Untold Story of an American Legend is available wherever books are sold. The audiobook is available on Spotify, Apple, Audible and anywhere else you listen to audiobooks.

Steel Drivin' Man - Bonus Chapter 3: A Legend In Pop Culture

This is a story about an Irish heroine called Grace O'Malley, Also known as Grainne of Clare. She lived in the late 1500's, she was known as the Pirate Queen of Ireland. She made fortunes, saved her sons from the Queen of England, fought on behalf or Ireland with her armada of ships and was a fierce, beautiful force of nature.. a true example of valour, will power, grace under pressure, fortitude and determination, with a commanding spirit. Here's to you Grace...   Happy St. Patrick's Day..    ☘️ Sláinte!!!  ☘️

Written, produced and performed by: Nat Daniels & Craig Durgy
Nat Daniels: tin whistle, guitar, piano & vocals
Craig Durgy: mandolin & vocals
Copyright 2024 Daniels & Durgy / Gentle Rain Records

Lyrics:  The Tale of Grace O’Malley

Let me tell you the tale
Of Grace O’Malley
Crimson red hair 
And the courage she carried
A nobleman’s daughter
A life full of rules
But fate took her hands 
And gave her sailing shoes
A pirate queen,  deadly  and fair…
In Gaelic her name wasn’t Grace
It’s Grainne of Clare  

Oh Grainne, Grainne of Clare
Who could lead men to battle, lead with a valkyrie stare
And you’d never give in
Though your life was at stake
You’d show us what valour could mean
For you’d rather die freely
Than live on your knees

V2
In a time when a girl 
Had no worth but breeding
You broke all the rules
And pierced every ceiling
You made all your fortunes
Then saved all your sons
And paid the Queens’ ransom
Then called all to arms
For bonnie Ireland needed you so
And your heart would never let go.. could never let go….

Oh Grainne, Grainne of Clare
Who could lead men to battle, 
Lead them with a with a valkyrie stare
And you’d never give in
Though your life was at stake
You’d show us what valour could mean
For you’d rather die freely
Than live on your knees
Oh you’d rather die freely 
Than live on your knees…

So now you know the tale.. of Grace O’Malley
Just a girl with red hair .. who was worth more than marriage
Now look at your daughters..  and tell them you love them
And treat them like equals and never condemn them
They’re all so much more.. they’re  worth so much more…
Like Grainne of Clare.

The Tale of Grace O'Malley

The Tale Of Grace O'Malley

This series of conversations expands on Scott Reynolds Nelson’s, "Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend” and explores how the legend of John Henry has transcended folklore through media and collective consciousness.

Two song writers, two kindred spirits... that found each other by pure happenstance and great fortune, to collaborate and create music together.
To see our separate artist pages, please click on the following links:
Nat Daniels   https://soundcloud.com/natdaniels
Craig Durgy  https://soundcloud.com/durge

New tracks tagged #folk hero