John Henry was a 1940 original Broadway

Broadway theatre

Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...

 musical based on the 1931 novel John Henry

John Henry (novel)

John Henry is a 1931 novel by Roark Bradford and illustrated by woodcut artist J. J. Lankes, based on the African-American folk hero of the same name. It was made into a Broadway play and later a musical featuring Paul Robeson in the title role and Ruby Elzy as Julie Anne....

by Roark Bradford

Roark Bradford

Roark Whitney Wickliffe Bradford was an American short story writer and novelist.-Life:...

. The libretto

Libretto

A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...

 was written by Bradford, with music composed by Jacques Wolfe

Jacques Wolfe

Jacques Wolfe was born in Botoşani, Romania, on April 29, 1896. His family emigrated to New York while he was a very young child. He displayed musical talent as a youngster and at 16, he entered the Institute of Musical Art, now known as Juilliard School. During World War I, he was stationed at...

.

Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson

Paul Leroy Robeson was an American concert singer , recording artist, actor, athlete, scholar who was an advocate for the Civil Rights Movement in the first half of the twentieth century...

 starred in the title role, with Ruby Elzy

Ruby Elzy

Ruby Elzy , was a pioneer African American operatic soprano.-Early life:Elzy was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi and educated at Rust College, the Ohio State University and the Juilliard School,...

 as Julie Anne. Other prominent members of the cast included Joseph Attles

Joseph Attles

Joseph Attles was an American character actor.He was born in James Island, South Carolina, United States on April 7, 1903. He died on October 29, 1990.-Theatre:*Tambourines to Glory*John Henry - 1940*Porgy and Bess...

, Josh White

Josh White

Joshua Daniel White , better known as Josh White, was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor, and civil rights activist. He also recorded under the names "Pinewood Tom" and "Tippy Barton" in the 1930s....

, Musa Williams, and Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin was an American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, pacifism and non-violence, and gay rights.In the pacifist Fellowship of Reconciliation , Rustin practiced nonviolence...

.

The show played at the 44th Street Theatre

44th Street Theatre

The 44th Street Theatre was a New York City Broadway theatre from 1912 to 1945 in the United States of America. It was located on Broadway, at West 44th Street. Architect was William A. Swansea. Built by the Shuberts, and first named Weber and Fields' Music Hall, its name was changed when the...

 in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

from January 10, 1940 to January 15, 1940.

Songs

Act I

• I'm Singing About a Man - Blind Lemon
• How Come I'm Born Wid a Hook in My Hand - John Henry
• All the People on the Levee - John Henry and Chorus
• Ya Gotta Bend Down - Blind Lemon and Chorus
• How Come I'm Born Wid a Hook in My Hand (Reprise) - John Henry
• Coonjine - Chorus
• Jaybird - Old Aunt Dinah and John Henry
• Got a Head Like a Rock - John Henry
• Whiffer's Song - Blind Lemon
• Stingaree Song - Poor Selma
• Bad, Bad Stacker Lee - Man Named Sam
• Careless Love - Julie Anne
• I've Trampled All Over - Julie Anne and John Henry
• Caught Ole Blue - Blind Lemon and Chorus
• Old John Henry/Po' Lil' Frenchie - John Henry and Men
• Workin' on de Railroad - John Henry and Men
• High Ballin' - Chorus

Act II

• Where Did You Get Dem High Heeled Shoes? - Blind Lemon
• Let De Sun Sink Down - Carrie and Chorus
• Ship of Zion - Chorus
• No Bottom - Chorus
• Lullaby - Julie Anne
• Take Me a Drink of Whiskey - Man Named Sam and Ruby
• Sundown in My Soul - John Henry
• I'm Gonna Git Down on My Knees - Hell Buster and Chorus
• I Want Jesus to Walk With Me - Hell Buster and Chorus
• I'm Born in the Country - John Henry
• Now You Talks Mighty Big in the Country - Man Named Sam and Chorus
• So Stand Back, All You Bullies - John Henry
• Ship of Zion (Reprise) - Chorus
• I Don't Care Where They Buried My Body - Chorus
• He Went to the East - Chorus