If I Die a Railroad Man

DESCRIPTION: "They took John Henry to the steep hillside, He looked to the heaven above, He said, 'Take my hammer and wrap it in gold And give it to the girl I love." "If I die a railroad man, go bury me under the tie So I can hear old Number 4 As she goes rolling by"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1927 (Sandburg-TheAmericanSongbag)
KEYWORDS: train railroading death nonballad
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Sandburg-TheAmericanSongbag, pp. 362-363, "If I Die a Railroad Man" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #30223
RECORDINGS:
Green Bailey, "If I Die a Railroad Man" (Gennett 6732/Champion 15652 [as Aaron Boyd]/Supertone 9320 [as Harvey Farr], 1929; rec. 1928; on KMM)
Tenneva Ramblers, "If I Die a Railroad Man" (Victor 21406, 1928)
File: San362

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