1. - Manual labour.Copy !req
2. You know, men and women
working with their handsCopy !req
3. built this country.Copy !req
4. They built homes and towns,Copy !req
5. and railroads connecting them
all across this nation.Copy !req
6. And when their working day
was done,Copy !req
7. they'd gather and sing songs
and tell stories,Copy !req
8. about a working man's heroCopy !req
9. of legendary strength,
and kindness.Copy !req
10. He was a natural-born man,Copy !req
11. a bigger-than-life character,Copy !req
12. who could swing this hammer
with ease.Copy !req
13. Like this.Copy !req
14. Yup, there's only one man
who could swing this hammer.Copy !req
15. John Henry!Copy !req
16. - John Henry,
a natural-born man.Copy !req
17. Wow! Wow!Copy !req
18. Quinn, Quinn! Did you see that?Copy !req
19. Did you?
- No.Copy !req
20. But I don't doubt
that it's happened.Copy !req
21. - Lightning bolts,
shaped like steel hammers,Copy !req
22. flashed over the grave
out there.Copy !req
23. - I tell you, Edward.Copy !req
24. With John Henry,
anything's possible.Copy !req
25. The greatest steel driver
of them all, boy.Copy !req
26. - I've heard grandpa
talk about him.Copy !req
27. - And talk about him he should.Copy !req
28. He was as big as a mountain.Copy !req
29. And arms as big as oak trees.Copy !req
30. Could pick a whole field
of cotton in one day.Copy !req
31. And a voice like the angels
themselves.Copy !req
32. We was born
on the same plantation.Copy !req
33. My folks, indentured servants
from Ireland,Copy !req
34. and his was slaves, but
we was friends just the same.Copy !req
35. The night John Henry was born,Copy !req
36. lightning bolts shaped
like nine-pound steels
filled the sky!Copy !req
37. Thunder that sounded like
laughter filled the night air.Copy !req
38. By the time John Henry
was 12 years old,Copy !req
39. he could split rails
with full-grown men.Copy !req
40. He won rail-splitting contests
every SundayCopy !req
41. and I won many a hard-earned
two-bits bettingCopy !req
42. on his rail-splitting abilitiesCopy !req
43. He was the best, no doubt.Copy !req
44. It was 1867 and all the slaves
in Tennessee were free.Copy !req
45. With his parents being dead
and no work for freedmen to do,Copy !req
46. there was no need for John
to stay in Tennessee.Copy !req
47. - Quinn wants to travel with meCopy !req
48. to West Virginia,
Captain Johnson.Copy !req
49. - I know my family still
owes you 100 dollarsCopy !req
50. in our indenture, sir.Copy !req
51. - It cost me a pretty penny
to bring your mama and daddy
from Ireland,Copy !req
52. and I intend to get
every red cent that you owe me.Copy !req
53. - I'll send the money
back to you, sir.Copy !req
54. - When the debt's settled,
you can go.Copy !req
55. Until then, you're still
indentured servants.Copy !req
56. - We ain't never gonna be able
to pay off that money.Copy !req
57. Been over 20 years
and it keeps going upCopy !req
58. because we keep having
to borrow more from the captain.Copy !req
59. - I'll send you what I can,
Quinn.Copy !req
60. I'm gonna miss you.Copy !req
61. - We had some good times
in this hateful old place.Copy !req
62. - Yeah,Copy !req
63. but I'm sure glad I'm leaving.Copy !req
64. Word was
the C & O RailroadCopy !req
65. was building Big Bend tunnel
over in West Virginia.Copy !req
66. Now, a man could earn a dollar
a day and a place to sleep.Copy !req
67. John Henry struck out
for West Virginia.Copy !req
68. He stopped along the way,Copy !req
69. taking odd jobs
wherever he couldCopy !req
70. and keeping his word
about sending back moneyCopy !req
71. to get me off old
Captain Johnson's place.Copy !req
72. Do you mean
John Henry walked all the wayCopy !req
73. from North Carolina to Tennesse
to West Virginia?Copy !req
74. He walked all the way
to the C & O work camp,Copy !req
75. right to this spot.Copy !req
76. - Ma'am. Miss.Copy !req
77. Ma'am... Hi, there.Copy !req
78. John Henry's my name.Copy !req
79. I...Copy !req
80. I hope you don't mind,
but... Uh...Copy !req
81. I, uh...Copy !req
82. - "Uh" is not a language.
At least not in these parts.Copy !req
83. - You're the prettiest woman
I've ever seen in my life.Copy !req
84. - Well, tell it to my boyfriend.Copy !req
85. He ought to be out here
in a minute, now.Copy !req
86. - Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know
you was spoken for.Copy !req
87. - You didn't ask.Copy !req
88. - Look, look at this piling.Copy !req
89. - Oh, Spike!Copy !req
90. - This is the kind of
bonus money you getCopy !req
91. when you the best steel driver
in West Virginia.Copy !req
92. This weekend, we gonna...Copy !req
93. What you gazin' at, boy?Copy !req
94. - Well... I guess...Copy !req
95. - He got eyes for me, Spike.Copy !req
96. - He...Copy !req
97. You got eyes for her?Copy !req
98. You got eyes for her?Copy !req
99. Look how raggedy you is, boy!Copy !req
100. To get a woman like that,
you got to look like me.Copy !req
101. And ain't no way you gonna ever
look like me.Copy !req
102. - You handsome, Spike.
- Yeah, honey, I know.Copy !req
103. Look here, boy.Copy !req
104. I bet you can't even
read and write, can you?Copy !req
105. - I can't read,
but I'm going to—Copy !req
106. - Raggedy and dumb!Copy !req
107. That's a good combination, boy.Copy !req
108. That's a real good combination.Copy !req
109. Look at this piling.Copy !req
110. - Never gonna laugh at me again.Copy !req
111. Never.Copy !req
112. - Not hiring.Copy !req
113. - Well, sir,
I thought you might—Copy !req
114. - You thought wrong,Copy !req
115. I got more men now
than I can use.Copy !req
116. - Mister.Copy !req
117. I just seen the woman
I plan to marry.Copy !req
118. If I'm to be
courting her properly,Copy !req
119. I'll be needing a job
to buy a suit.Copy !req
120. You're my only hope,Copy !req
121. so when do I start working?Copy !req
122. - Go around to the steel
drivers, fella.Copy !req
123. They'll mistake you
for a mountain.Copy !req
124. First thing you know,
you'll have a hole running
through your chest.Copy !req
125. - It wouldn't hurt me none.Copy !req
126. - You ever work
with dynamite before?Copy !req
127. - No, sir.Copy !req
128. - Goodbye.Copy !req
129. - I'll work for free.Copy !req
130. Here, if I can't do the job,Copy !req
131. then you don't have to pay me.Copy !req
132. I sure like Miss Polly.Copy !req
133. - Miss Po... Miss Polly?Copy !req
134. Polly Ann is Spike Weed's
girlfriend!Copy !req
135. Spike Weed's the best
steel driverCopy !req
136. and lady's man
in ten states!Copy !req
137. You haven't even got shoes on!Copy !req
138. What's your name?
- John Henry, sir.Copy !req
139. - Go on home, John Henry.Copy !req
140. - Let's have a contest.Copy !req
141. Me driving steel
against Spike Weed.Copy !req
142. I'll beat him.
I'll only use one hand!Copy !req
143. - You what?Copy !req
144. - I can drive more steel
with one handCopy !req
145. than he could drive with two.Copy !req
146. If I won, I get a job
building Big Ben.Copy !req
147. If I don't, well...Copy !req
148. - I like your style, John Smith.Copy !req
149. - Henry, sir.Copy !req
150. - Alright, Tuesday morning,
bright and early.Copy !req
151. You can stay in the workmen's
quarter till then,Copy !req
152. down the street to the right.Copy !req
153. Take any empty bed.Copy !req
154. - Thank you, sir! Thank you!Copy !req
155. I'll drive holes
in that mountainCopy !req
156. the size of pickled berries.Copy !req
157. - Something tells me you will,
fella.Copy !req
158. Something tells me you will.Copy !req
159. Fella says he wants
to challenge youCopy !req
160. to a steel-driving contest,
Spike.Copy !req
161. - Ain't no way no greenhorn
gonna beat me driving steel,Copy !req
162. Mr. Jenkins!
- Oh, I know that, Spike.Copy !req
163. We need a little excitement
around here,Copy !req
164. men need something to laugh at.Copy !req
165. After it's over, I'll give him
a couple of dollars.Copy !req
166. We'll have some fun,
he'll be on his way.Copy !req
167. - Yeah, yeah.Copy !req
168. Give me a chance to pick up
a couple of extra dollars, huh?Copy !req
169. If anybody's crazy enough
to bet against me.Copy !req
170. - Crazy's right!Copy !req
171. - Good morning, Miss Polly.Copy !req
172. - Hmm!Copy !req
173. - I was told you was here
to the cafeteria.Copy !req
174. - Lunch is not served
for another hour.Copy !req
175. - Yes, I know.Copy !req
176. I figured I'd spend that hour
just looking at you.Copy !req
177. - Watch him, Polly.
He looks crazy.Copy !req
178. Very crazy.Copy !req
179. - Crazy about Miss Polly here!Copy !req
180. I...Copy !req
181. I'm gonna beat
your boyfriend, Spike,Copy !req
182. in the steel-driving
contest on Tuesday.Copy !req
183. Mr. Jenkins I was to have
free room and board till then.Copy !req
184. - I know, he told me.Copy !req
185. - Well, ma'am...Copy !req
186. I'll start boarding,
if you don't mind.Copy !req
187. As you can see...Copy !req
188. I'm...Copy !req
189. highly mannered,
Miss Polly.Copy !req
190. - Well, what would you like?Copy !req
191. - Some of everything you got,
ma'am.Copy !req
192. - Edna!Copy !req
193. - Uh-huh?Copy !req
194. - Food for Mr. Henry.Copy !req
195. - Thank you kindly, ma'am.Copy !req
196. - I've never seen a man
eat seven chickens before.Copy !req
197. - Well, there's six apple pies
left, don't forget those.Copy !req
198. - Oh no, ma'am.
Maybe after lunch.Copy !req
199. - Girl, that man loves you.Copy !req
200. He wants to get
your attention real bad!Copy !req
201. - Hush, girl.Copy !req
202. - He just ate seven chickens
to prove it!Copy !req
203. I didn't know it,Copy !req
204. but I arrived in the C & O
work campCopy !req
205. about the same time
John Henry did.Copy !req
206. Yes, I am small of stature,Copy !req
207. but I can lift twice my weight.Copy !req
208. - What's that? 50 pounds?Copy !req
209. - Mr. Jenkins, I have been
travelling for weeksCopy !req
210. looking for a friend of mine.Copy !req
211. I'm down to my last
three dollars!Copy !req
212. My father was a blacksmith,
I know the trade.Copy !req
213. I could be of great help!
- I don't have a job for you!Copy !req
214. Out!Copy !req
215. - Quinn!Copy !req
216. - John Henry!
- Quinn!Copy !req
217. - Thanks for sending back
the money!Copy !req
218. We are free from
the captain for life!Copy !req
219. - Guess what! I found the girl
I'm gonna marry.Copy !req
220. - You what?Copy !req
221. What are you talking about?Copy !req
222. - Everything will be alright
come Tuesday.Copy !req
223. The morning
of the big contest
between John and Spike,Copy !req
224. everyone was let off work.Copy !req
225. They brought in the biggest roc
I'd ever seen.Copy !req
226. I remember myself thinkingCopy !req
227. that even a man like John HenryCopy !req
228. couldn't drive a rod of steel
through a rock like that.Copy !req
229. - That runt your shaker?Copy !req
230. - What runt?Copy !req
231. - No, I'm gonna be his shaker.Copy !req
232. - Jim! Don't you get
in trouble!Copy !req
233. - Jim Wallace is the name.Copy !req
234. This is my big-mouthed wife,
Edna.Copy !req
235. - Thank you kindly, Jim.Copy !req
236. - Alright, let's start
the contest!Copy !req
237. The winner gets...Copy !req
238. - Hold on! Hold on!Copy !req
239. Let's make this interesting.Copy !req
240. Like...
Let's bet some money.Copy !req
241. - Quinn, you crazy?Copy !req
242. We ain't got one red cent!Copy !req
243. They don't know that.Copy !req
244. Hey, tell you what!Copy !req
245. I bet on each one
who takes me onCopy !req
246. a straight three dollars
a piece that John Henry wins.Copy !req
247. Now, who's taking me on?
Now you're talking my language!Copy !req
248. - Alright, men!Copy !req
249. Let's drive steel!Copy !req
250. Contest begins on three.Copy !req
251. One!Copy !req
252. Two!Copy !req
253. Three!Copy !req
254. Get that job ready,
Mr. Jenkins.Copy !req
255. I'm swinging free and easy now.Copy !req
256. Free and easy!Copy !req
257. I sure feel sorry for that rock!Copy !req
258. Keep driving that steel,
Mr. Spike!Copy !req
259. Keep driving that steel!Copy !req
260. What's the matter, boy?Copy !req
261. You look a little peckish.Copy !req
262. Not talking too much now, huh?Copy !req
263. Look at me boy!Copy !req
264. Ain't never worked up a sweat!Copy !req
265. - Contest is over.Copy !req
266. - My buddy John Henry
can outrun the fastest horseCopy !req
267. this side of the Ohio River!Copy !req
268. Who wants to bet me?Copy !req
269. - Thank you, Jim.Copy !req
270. I couldn't have done it
without you.Copy !req
271. - You could've done it.Copy !req
272. You'd drive more steel
than ten men.Copy !req
273. You're the best I've ever seen
in all my life.Copy !req
274. - Oh, shucks!
- I'll be your friend, buddy.Copy !req
275. - You got the job, John Smith.Copy !req
276. - Henry, sir.
- Right. Henry.Copy !req
277. Report to your crew chief
tomorrow morning.Copy !req
278. The best I've ever seen.Copy !req
279. John Henry.Copy !req
280. - One thing before you go, sir!Copy !req
281. My buddy Quinn needs a job.Copy !req
282. You hire me, you gotta hire him.Copy !req
283. - What do you say to that,
Mr. Jenkins?Copy !req
284. - Alright,
report for kitchen duty.Copy !req
285. Polly Ann's your boss.Copy !req
286. - Oh...Copy !req
287. Oh, no!Copy !req
288. - She's alright, Quinn.Copy !req
289. I'll make sure
she goes easy on you.Copy !req
290. - Alright, everybody!
Back to work!Copy !req
291. The fun's over, come on,
back to work!Copy !req
292. - This mountain's big enough
for two champions, Spike.Copy !req
293. - I ain't never seen nothing
like you in my life.Copy !req
294. And I've seen all the best.Copy !req
295. Shucks.Copy !req
296. I ain't nothing
but a natural-born man.Copy !req
297. Nothing more, nothing less.Copy !req
298. Work output's
more than doubledCopy !req
299. since John Henry
joined the crew.Copy !req
300. How do we replace
a man like that?Copy !req
301. - Did she ever mention my name?Copy !req
302. - No, not a word.Copy !req
303. The only thing's on her mind is,Copy !req
304. "We got a crew to feed,
let's move it."Copy !req
305. - Hard-working and pretty
to boot. I like that.Copy !req
306. You ever seen Spike
sniffing around?Copy !req
307. - No.Copy !req
308. I ain't seen him
if he did come around.Copy !req
309. You took some of the vinegar out
of Spike on that mountain.Copy !req
310. - Yeah, I'll do anything
with my hands.Copy !req
311. I could bend a rainbow
if I had to.Copy !req
312. Now, how come I can't
get to that woman's
little heartstrings?Copy !req
313. - Hey, buddy.
- Jim.Copy !req
314. - You boys look like you lost
your best friend.Copy !req
315. - Pinin'.Copy !req
316. - Pinin' who?
- Polly Ann.Copy !req
317. - If it'll help you any,Copy !req
318. my Edna told me
that Miss Polly AnnCopy !req
319. thinks you a pretty
bad-looking farmer boy.Copy !req
320. What do you think of that?
- She said that?Copy !req
321. She said that?Copy !req
322. She said that?Copy !req
323. - You're gonna choke me
to death, fool!Copy !req
324. - Oh, I'm sorry, Jim! I'm sorry.Copy !req
325. But maybe...Copy !req
326. Just maybe...Copy !req
327. she's falling for my charm!Copy !req
328. - You'd be dead and buriedCopy !req
329. before Miss Polly Ann
comes around, son.Copy !req
330. She's a hard one.
- That's it!Copy !req
331. I've got a plan.
Now, you two gotta help me.Copy !req
332. - Move aside,
we've got a sick man here.Copy !req
333. Where's Miss Polly Ann?
Miss Polly Ann?Copy !req
334. - Huh?Copy !req
335. Oh, John! Oh, please don't be...
What happened?Copy !req
336. - Well, ma'am...
- Get a doctor over here!Copy !req
337. Put him on the table there.Copy !req
338. And somebody get me some
cold water from the kitchen.Copy !req
339. Excuse me.Copy !req
340. Oh, John.Copy !req
341. John, please be alright.Copy !req
342. I'm sorry I treated you so mean.Copy !req
343. Please be alright!Copy !req
344. What happened?Copy !req
345. What can it be?Copy !req
346. - Uh, uh...
- Well...Copy !req
347. - Food poisoning.Copy !req
348. - Food poisoning?Copy !req
349. - Yes. Yes, ma'am.Copy !req
350. Before he... passed out,Copy !req
351. he... said that
he was food-poisoned.Copy !req
352. - Been complaining about it
all day, ma'am.Copy !req
353. - Yes ma'am, that's right.Copy !req
354. All day long,
up in the mountain,Copy !req
355. he was complaining about
how the breakfast meal...Copy !req
356. food-poisoned his...Copy !req
357. body.Copy !req
358. - How would you know that,
Quinn?Copy !req
359. You wasn't up on the mountain.Copy !req
360. You have been here
washing dishes all day long.Copy !req
361. - He heard it from me, ma'am.
- That's right.Copy !req
362. - You lying, Jim Wallace!Copy !req
363. Ooh...Copy !req
364. Get up!Copy !req
365. Get up from there,
John Henry!Copy !req
366. Ooh, this is the lowest,Copy !req
367. this is the worst thing
you ever...Copy !req
368. Get up! Just get up!Copy !req
369. - Where am I? Where am I?Copy !req
370. Polly!Copy !req
371. Polly, it's dark in here!Copy !req
372. - Not as dark as it's gonna get!Copy !req
373. John Henry, why do you do
all these thingsCopy !req
374. to get my attention?
Tell me that!Copy !req
375. - I don't know what else to do!Copy !req
376. I ordered a new suit, but it
won't be here for another week!Copy !req
377. - You start fights, you try
to knock down every mountainCopy !req
378. from here to Kentucky,Copy !req
379. I don't care how strong you is,
that's not what I want!Copy !req
380. - Well, what do you want?
- Some flowers!Copy !req
381. - For you.Copy !req
382. I cut it with my own two hands.Copy !req
383. I'd move these mountains for you
if you told me to.Copy !req
384. I'd reach up and grab the moonCopy !req
385. and land on your doorsteps
if you told me to.Copy !req
386. There's nothing
I wouldn't do for you.Copy !req
387. - Thank you, John.Copy !req
388. - I'll meet you when you
knock off from work tonight.Copy !req
389. Walk you home.Copy !req
390. Can I do that?Copy !req
391. - That'd be just fine.Copy !req
392. I'd like that.Copy !req
393. - At last!Copy !req
394. Thank God!Copy !req
395. - Well, you made quite
a reputation for yourself.Copy !req
396. - Folks think what they want
about you,Copy !req
397. whether it's true or not.Copy !req
398. But the truth is I ain't nothing
but a natural-born man.Copy !req
399. Nothing more, nothing less.Copy !req
400. I hear all those stories
and I just want to laugh.Copy !req
401. You know, all I ever wantedCopy !req
402. was to have enough money
to buy me a silk top-hatCopy !req
403. and to catch a boat to Paris,
France.Copy !req
404. Have you heard about Paris,
France?Copy !req
405. - Yes.Copy !req
406. - Well, maybe you and me,
we can...Copy !req
407. - Oh, now just slow down, now.Copy !req
408. Stop rushing and slow down.Copy !req
409. We got time.Copy !req
410. We got plenty of time.Copy !req
411. - You saying...Copy !req
412. You saying we courtin'?Copy !req
413. - I'm saying we courtin'.Copy !req
414. - Yahou!Copy !req
415. - I've been looking for you,
John Henry.Copy !req
416. - I made my choice, Spike.Copy !req
417. - Oh, you did that the first day
you laid eyes on John.Copy !req
418. Oh, two of my little
girlfriends.Copy !req
419. I'm taking them with me.Copy !req
420. Come, my little darlings.Copy !req
421. - How long you known them?Copy !req
422. - Over a year, now.Copy !req
423. You see, I always been a bit
too much for one woman.Copy !req
424. Well, my sweeties, it's time
we did some travelling.Copy !req
425. Lady's man,
the best in the land!Copy !req
426. And don't you ever
forget that, boy.Copy !req
427. You see, I got no time
for romance.Copy !req
428. Slows you down.Copy !req
429. - Uh-huh. And this word here?Copy !req
430. - Ever.Copy !req
431. - Right.Copy !req
432. Ever what?Copy !req
433. - Evermore.Copy !req
434. Oh, evermore.Copy !req
435. - Very good!Copy !req
436. - I got to pull off
this devilish tie, Polly Ann!Copy !req
437. It's choking me to death!Copy !req
438. - John Henry, you promised me
you'd dress up on Sunday.Copy !req
439. - Now, I didn't say
every damn Sunday!Copy !req
440. I want you to be my wife.Copy !req
441. I made my offer, what say you?Copy !req
442. - I say I accept your offer.Copy !req
443. - You what?Copy !req
444. - Accept!Copy !req
445. - I've got a nice little cabin
picked out for us,Copy !req
446. out near Hogan's Hovel.Copy !req
447. Won't be too far to walk,Copy !req
448. until we can afford
a horse and buggy.Copy !req
449. - We'll get a horse and buggy,Copy !req
450. after we come back from Paris,
France.Copy !req
451. - I love you, wife.Copy !req
452. - I love you...Copy !req
453. Husband.Copy !req
454. John Henry finally
had his Polly Ann.Copy !req
455. Life never seemed so good
as it did in those days,Copy !req
456. and I remember feeling somehow
it never would again.Copy !req
457. - Rock slide! Rock slide!Copy !req
458. We've got a man caught
in a rock slide!Copy !req
459. - Jim!Copy !req
460. Jim!Copy !req
461. - I'm paralyzed!
I can't feel my legs, John.Copy !req
462. I can't feel them.
I can't move my legs, John.Copy !req
463. I'm paralyzed, John.
I can't feel my legs.Copy !req
464. I can't feel my legs.Copy !req
465. - No, sir.
The working conditions
on Big Ben ain't safe.Copy !req
466. They shouldn't have been
blasting that loose rockCopy !req
467. that fell on Jim Wallace.Copy !req
468. Somebody should check
for loose rocks.Copy !req
469. From now on,
that's what we want.Copy !req
470. A report before
we start blasting.Copy !req
471. We've been asking you
to do that for weeks.Copy !req
472. - That costs money!Copy !req
473. And our expenses are way
out of line as it is now.Copy !req
474. Now I am not gonna spend
the company's moneyCopy !req
475. and slow down work
to have rocks inspected!Copy !req
476. - We're talking
about men's lives.Copy !req
477. - And cost overruns!
And additional expenses!Copy !req
478. - Sir.Copy !req
479. This mountain...Copy !req
480. too high to ride
a train over it.Copy !req
481. So we blast in a whole
through the mountain.Copy !req
482. Suppose...Copy !req
483. we don't want to keep blasting
through that mountain.Copy !req
484. How much would that cost you?Copy !req
485. - I will find a way
to get my railroadCopy !req
486. to the other side
of that mountain,Copy !req
487. if I have to dig rock
with my bare hands!Copy !req
488. Now, you don't threaten me!Copy !req
489. - I'll inspect the rock myself.Copy !req
490. That way it won't cost you
more money.Copy !req
491. Seeing as how our lives
ain't worth it.Copy !req
492. - John Henry!Copy !req
493. One day,Copy !req
494. progress is gonna
catch up with us.Copy !req
495. A good foreman will be
hard to find.Copy !req
496. - What are you saying, sir?Copy !req
497. - I'm saying, kick in with me
before it's too late.Copy !req
498. Tide's changing fast, John.Copy !req
499. - No tide can knock me down.Copy !req
500. - Hope you're right.Copy !req
501. - I want Jim to keep getting
his weekly wages.Copy !req
502. - Jim's in a wheelchair.Copy !req
503. I can't pay a man
that can't work.Copy !req
504. - I'll drive my share
and his share too.Copy !req
505. I'll double my drilling.Copy !req
506. - That's not humanly possible.Copy !req
507. You already drill more
than three men.Copy !req
508. - Then let's me get four men.Copy !req
509. Thank you, sir.Copy !req
510. When the working day
was done,Copy !req
511. John Henry just kept on working
into the night.Copy !req
512. Putting in extra hours
so poor Jim Wallace
could keep getting payed.Copy !req
513. John would never weary.Copy !req
514. He never stopped till
he'd done more work in a dayCopy !req
515. than most men do in 30 days.Copy !req
516. Sometimes, I'd help him.Copy !req
517. Though, it was a bit difficult
keeping up.Copy !req
518. - Hey, Jim.Copy !req
519. I was just heading over
to your place.Copy !req
520. - Well, I just thought
I'd come overCopy !req
521. and sit with the folks
on the porch for a while.Copy !req
522. It gets awfully lonesome
sitting around this contraption
all day by yourself.Copy !req
523. - Here's your weekly wages.Copy !req
524. - Here's a couple extra
for the doctor.Copy !req
525. - You boys know I ain't
gonna be able to repay you.Copy !req
526. What are you doing?Copy !req
527. - You just get well,
you old mountain goat.Copy !req
528. That'll be payment enough!Copy !req
529. - You know, John, they wrote
a new work song about you.Copy !req
530. Telling me they're singing itCopy !req
531. all over Pennsylvania
and Maryland.Copy !req
532. You know, you're starting
to be a legend, John.Copy !req
533. - Yeah...Copy !req
534. I ain't nothing
but a working man like you.Copy !req
535. People hardly have better to do
with their time.Copy !req
536. No matter how many stories
they tell about me,Copy !req
537. or how many songs they sing,Copy !req
538. a man can't ever be
nothing but a man.Copy !req
539. Nothing less, nothing more.Copy !req
540. - The steam drill
will be delivered within
the next few months.Copy !req
541. After that,
things are gonna change.Copy !req
542. The men are gonna rebel.Copy !req
543. Be prepared for that.Copy !req
544. A lot of jobs will be lost.Copy !req
545. Tempers are gonna run hot.Copy !req
546. There might even be trouble,
so be prepared.Copy !req
547. The steam drill is the future,
gentlemen.Copy !req
548. I plan to own my own railroad
in the next few years,Copy !req
549. so I'm for anythingCopy !req
550. that'll speed up drilling
through rockCopy !req
551. and save the railroads money.Copy !req
552. That's my position, gentlemen.Copy !req
553. Good day.Copy !req
554. - Yeeha!Copy !req
555. - Alright.Copy !req
556. - This is a steam drill.Copy !req
557. I wanted to introduce it to you
while I had you all together.Copy !req
558. This machine can do the work
of ten men.Copy !req
559. It cuts costs and saves time.Copy !req
560. This machine will be replacing
you men on the mountain.Copy !req
561. - You saying you're taking
our jobs away?Copy !req
562. - That's what I'm saying.Copy !req
563. But I'll discuss it with you
privately, John Henry.Copy !req
564. - Whatever you got to say to me,Copy !req
565. you could say it
in front of everybody.Copy !req
566. - I'm glad...Copy !req
567. I'm glad that thing is taking
your jobs away from you.Copy !req
568. That mountain ain't fit
for men to work on.Copy !req
569. - Hush up, Edna.Copy !req
570. - Look what it did
to my husband.Copy !req
571. Crippled for life!Copy !req
572. Maybe now you women
won't have to pray,Copy !req
573. day and night,Copy !req
574. that your husband
won't come home safeCopy !req
575. from a hard day's work.Copy !req
576. You have to stay up
half the nightCopy !req
577. because his back hurts,Copy !req
578. or his muscles are sore!Copy !req
579. I'm glad of that thing
over there!Copy !req
580. I'm glad!Copy !req
581. - You saying that thing
can drive more steelCopy !req
582. and break more rock than a man?Copy !req
583. - More than ten men.Copy !req
584. Alright, take it away, boys!Copy !req
585. - Can't drive more steel
than me!Copy !req
586. - What?
- I can outdrive it.Copy !req
587. - John Henry,Copy !req
588. you're good.
You're more than good.Copy !req
589. But that's a machine.Copy !req
590. A machine don't get tired.Copy !req
591. You're no match
for that beauty.Copy !req
592. We're coming up to the mountain,Copy !req
593. we're gonna have to drill
through solid rock,Copy !req
594. not just lay track
along the flat ground.Copy !req
595. The machine will take over now.Copy !req
596. No crew of men can outdrill
that beauty.Copy !req
597. That... is the future.Copy !req
598. - Then, let's have a contest.Copy !req
599. - Oh, John, just leave it be,
please.Copy !req
600. Just leave it be.
- It's alright, honey.Copy !req
601. It's alright.
I know what I'm doing.Copy !req
602. - You want to challenge
the steam drill to a contest?Copy !req
603. - Ten hours.Copy !req
604. The one who can drive
more steel in ten hoursCopy !req
605. is the winner.Copy !req
606. If I win,Copy !req
607. the men keep their jobs.Copy !req
608. If the steam drill wins...Copy !req
609. Well... What do you say?Copy !req
610. - Deal.Copy !req
611. Tomorrow morning, first light.Copy !req
612. - John, John!Copy !req
613. I'm glad I caught up with you.Copy !req
614. I've been taking bets.Copy !req
615. I figure that after you beat
that steel monster,Copy !req
616. we'll have exactly 132 dollars
saved up in the kitty.Copy !req
617. Now, after two more years
of work in here,Copy !req
618. we can retire.
I have to find me a wifeCopy !req
619. and raise some youngins,
just like you're gonna do.Copy !req
620. - Some of the men
bet against me?Copy !req
621. - Yeah. They did.Copy !req
622. - They're gonna lose.
- Yeah.Copy !req
623. Nothing can beat us, John Henry.Copy !req
624. Right? Nothing?Copy !req
625. Nothing...Copy !req
626. - You don't scare me,Copy !req
627. you oversized hunk of tin can.Copy !req
628. This is my mountain!Copy !req
629. I'm the steel-driving champCopy !req
630. who's gonna lead the work crew
through that mountain yonder.Copy !req
631. You think you're just gonna
walk in here,Copy !req
632. in this camp,
and just huff and puff,Copy !req
633. and take our jobs away?Copy !req
634. No, sir.Copy !req
635. That won't happenCopy !req
636. because I'm gonna drive you
into the ground.Copy !req
637. This dirt you're sitting on,Copy !req
638. the rivers, the mountains,Copy !req
639. the sky belongs to us,
the working people!Copy !req
640. And no machine the likes of you
is gonna take that away from us.Copy !req
641. Look at you.Copy !req
642. Can't you even talk back?Copy !req
643. What dreams do you got?Copy !req
644. What family to feed?Copy !req
645. You run on coal and wood,Copy !req
646. not a drop of blood
in your veins.Copy !req
647. I'm a man...Copy !req
648. that's not gonna be replaced
by no machine.Copy !req
649. Your time on this earth
is short.Copy !req
650. - Amen.Copy !req
651. - Amen.Copy !req
652. - Didn't talk back to you,
did it?Copy !req
653. - She ain't that smart.Copy !req
654. Sorry you wasted your money
on something that worthless.Copy !req
655. - You know...Copy !req
656. I've built railroads
all over this country.Copy !req
657. I never met a man like you.Copy !req
658. Nothing stops you, does it?Copy !req
659. - Only two things:Copy !req
660. Death...Copy !req
661. and Polly Ann.Copy !req
662. - Your job is secure.Copy !req
663. I'm not gonna lay you off.Copy !req
664. You don't have to fight
that machine.Copy !req
665. As a matter of fact,
I'll give you 50 dollarsCopy !req
666. if you'll call the contest off.Copy !req
667. 50 dollars and a permanent job.Copy !req
668. Think about yourself
for a change, John Henry.Copy !req
669. - Every time I think
about women and children,Copy !req
670. depending on men folks,Copy !req
671. I'm thinking about myself.Copy !req
672. I can't separate myself
from them, Mr. Jenkins.Copy !req
673. If that machine don't lose,Copy !req
674. every working man
in this country is done for.Copy !req
675. And one day,Copy !req
676. there won't be no more
nine pound steels.Copy !req
677. Now wouldn't that be pitiful,
Mr. Jenkins?Copy !req
678. - Pitiful indeed, John Henry.Copy !req
679. - That machine...Copy !req
680. is gonna have to run over
my dead body...Copy !req
681. before I give that up.Copy !req
682. - When this clock strikes
ten hours,Copy !req
683. the contest will be over.Copy !req
684. If it gets to ten hours.Copy !req
685. Personally, I don't believe
it's humanly possible.Copy !req
686. - I figured you don't start
without me, boy.Copy !req
687. Step aside, another
lady's man coming through.Copy !req
688. You see, I was a champion shaker
before I was a champion driver.Copy !req
689. Get ready to make history, boy.Copy !req
690. Now you didn't think
I was gonna let you to it
without me, now did you?Copy !req
691. Would you lovely rose blossoms
please wait over there?Copy !req
692. And I'll break the arms
of the first manCopy !req
693. that touches one
of my girlfriends.Copy !req
694. Now...Copy !req
695. Let me and the big fellow
get to work.Copy !req
696. - Look out, steam drill,Copy !req
697. you in trouble now.Copy !req
698. - Let her rip, boys!Copy !req
699. The contest has begun!Copy !req
700. - Hit that! Yeah!Copy !req
701. One more!Copy !req
702. Come on, boy!Copy !req
703. Come on, now!Copy !req
704. - What's the matter with you,
machine?Copy !req
705. You getting sick
on Mr. Jenkins?Copy !req
706. Look at me.Copy !req
707. I'm swinging like a natural man.Copy !req
708. Just whooping on down, boys.Copy !req
709. Just whooping on down, boys.Copy !req
710. Just whooping on down!Copy !req
711. - That's it.Copy !req
712. Contest is over.Copy !req
713. You say you're nothing
but a man.Copy !req
714. But no mortal human
can do what you just done.Copy !req
715. Take a measurement.
- I'll do it.Copy !req
716. - I'm tired, honey. Real tired.Copy !req
717. - Just lean on me.
It's alright. It's alright.Copy !req
718. - Steam drill:Copy !req
719. nine feet.Copy !req
720. - That's more than a man
can drill in three days, John.Copy !req
721. - John Henry:Copy !req
722. 15 feet!Copy !req
723. - You won this time.Copy !req
724. You did.Copy !req
725. Not these other men.Copy !req
726. They can't do
what you can do, John Henry.Copy !req
727. They're not you.Copy !req
728. The machines will win.Copy !req
729. They're coming.Copy !req
730. They'll beat you in the end.Copy !req
731. - That may be true, Mr. Jenkins.Copy !req
732. But they didn't win today.Copy !req
733. No, sir!Copy !req
734. The machine didn't win today.Copy !req
735. That was a glorious da
for the steel drivers.Copy !req
736. We had beat the machine.Copy !req
737. And John Henry's laughterCopy !req
738. blowed a hole in the side
of that mountain.Copy !req
739. And that hole is now called
the Big Ben Tunnel.Copy !req
740. Yes, sir, Master Edward.Copy !req
741. That's the truth.Copy !req
742. John Henry wore out
over 50 hammers that day.Copy !req
743. Master Edward,Copy !req
744. he hit the rock of that mountain
so hardCopy !req
745. that the mountain began to cry.Copy !req
746. And the mountain's tears
became a waterfall.Copy !req
747. The prettiest,Copy !req
748. powerfullest waterfall
you've ever seen.Copy !req
749. Yes, sir.
That's the truth.Copy !req
750. Ask anybody.Copy !req
751. - All those stories
about John Henry,Copy !req
752. all they all true?Copy !req
753. - They're true if you
believe them, son.Copy !req
754. He was a lot of things
to a lot of people.Copy !req
755. And a fine friend
he was to me.Copy !req
756. But if you were to ask John
that question,Copy !req
757. he'd just smile and say,Copy !req
758. "Shucks, boy.Copy !req
759. I ain't nothing
but a natural-born man.Copy !req
760. No more. No less."Copy !req
761. - What happened to him?Copy !req
762. Did he die?
- Die?Copy !req
763. You can't kill off
a man like John Henry.Copy !req
764. Why, he's probably
out there right now.Copy !req
765. Driving more steel than 20 men.Copy !req
766. 50 men!Copy !req
767. Ask anybody.Copy !req
768. Just ask them.Copy !req
769. difuzeCopy !req