Henry Thomas - Going Up The Country (1928)

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The original name of this song is Bull Doze Blues.
With Going Up The Country, more people will find this song thats why i kept it Going Up The Country.

[@gareth4157]

My great-grandfather fought in WW1 for Great Britain (he was Scottish), in 1918 he befriended an American soldier who offered him work on his family's cattle farm in Huntsville after the war. Great grandad was lost mentally and craved a sea change, so he accepted the offer. In the mid 1920s he wrote in his diary about seeing an amazing black musician called 'Rag Rhyme Texas'. His music reached him in ways no other white music had before, and it transformed his outlook forever. He returned to Scotland in the Great Depression, and in 1968 his nephew played the Canned Heat version on his record player. Great grandad nearly had a heart attack and broke down in tears, that panpipe chorus was unforgettable he said. After much research my uncle found the record of Henry Thomas in the 70s, and we learned that his nickname was actually 'Ragtime Texas'. This is a story our family passes down from generation to generation, and we owe Henry Thomas so much in helping our family out of a very dark place.

[@paavosallinen1393]

tl;dr. Just kidding, great story.

[@RowdyBorders-ni3ti]

Yes depression was terrible lotta hobo’s an campfire music different nationalities

[@GreatWaterCircus]

Cool story... music and people.

[@The-Light1]

Fantastic story....I've just this minute found out that it was not a canned heat original

[@ronalddesiderio7625]

That’s Awsome ❤!

[@enigma9971]

95 years later this man gets his recognition.

[@ricoricky98]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@raymondkitchen6137]

To be fair, Canned Heat were usually pretty good at crediting the original artists when covering or reworking old blues songs unlike Led Zeppelin.

[@veronique8748]

Godbless people america Plenty of respect for this people countries From south France Véronique

[@georgemayhew1283]

About time 😮

[@lewstone5430]

@raymondkitchen6137 Zeppelin paid out in the end, after they were sued.

[@TheGlass50]

The name of this song is actually Bull Doze Blues by Henry “Ragtime Texas”Thomas and it was recorded on June 13, 1928. That flute sounding instrument that you hear which sounds so amazingly modern is known as a quill. It’s a black version of the Pan Flute.

[@ClueSign]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, appreciated.

[@edmondlau511]

Awesome! I've never heard of a quill or pan flute and read a little bit about them.

[@frederickus]

I thought Ocarina.

[@FlipDahlenburg]

Not an Ocarina?

[@A-Pa-s-Plainjane]

thx for that, we have such a rich history of music in the US, much of it from our black brothers and sisters. I love hearing all of it even if my skin is pale, my soul is black. Yesterday I woke up and felt like hearing the "Bourgeois Blues" by Leadbelly. And yes there has been some change, but we are not there yet. But we can be, if we want it. That's what the music says to me.

[@Republic3D]

Henry Thomas was born in the 1870s. Then 50 years later he records this song. Then 50 years after that Canned Heat makes their own version. Then 50 years after that I watch a reaction to the Canned Heat version (Alex & Andy) on KZbin, and the comments are full of people pointing to this original song from almost 100 years ago. Thanks internet, and thanks Henry Thomas. I love this song.

[@DockingFreidmanRecords]

Damn Henry Thomas was real ancient.

[@klieberthilo6571]

Ich liebe dieses Lied auch ❤

[@gtrbobmonterey1762]

History & research like this, one of the main reasons why we like the Net.

[@slaphead8835]

Every once in a while KZbin offers up an absolute treasure. This is a true gem.

[@writerjmd]

It's not KZbin, it's a person who posted

[@unbreakable7633]

@@writerjmd You know what he meant or are you being obtuse?

[@eggrolll]

​@@unbreakable7633 you can't say anything on the internet anymore without some pretentious loser correcting you, even when there's nothing to correct.

[@writerjmd]

@@unbreakable7633 Give credit to the person who did the work

[@AVoiceForThePeople]

No it’s not KZbin. Sometimes they let something through the algorithm that reminds us of human fucking beings. It’s an accident on the part of the company. Enjoy it while we can. Love you enjoy…before it’s over ok

[@sandpointcinema7557]

Socks officially blown off. Wow, that is just awesome. All my life I thought this was written by Canned Heat. Can't get over the fact this is 1928. Can't be right, that date. If it is, this is one of the greatest songs of all time. Period.

[@Nordicroo]

To be fair many old blues players in turn copied from others as well. It's like many pop stars copy from classical composers and then call it theirs. Look at Maroon 5 for example. Their song "Memories" is clearly inspired by Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D. And then, classical composers copy from each other. But there's a fine line between copying and being inspired. Chord progressions and rhythms are usually not copyrightable unlike melodies. But I guess with millions of songs out there, many are bound to have similarities these days. People are obviously going to have similar ideas across the world. And there are of course only twelve notes to play with.

[@billrobbins5874]

Really enjoyed Canned Heat's remake of this. This original is remarkable. The instruments and voice, very well done. ❤️❤️

[@terryallen9546]

@@Nordicroo Yes, humans are often unaware of the influences in the work we produce. The first time I stood in front of Guernica, it was like a boulder had been dropped into my pond...sending waves to my entire soul.

[@mattfraser3452]

Little White lies , in short talent thieves .

[@tomlewis5542]

Exactly whose canned heat

[@cliffshaw6530]

Alan Wilson was a blues nerd long before he became the singer in Canned Heat. He wasn’t stealing anything. He just wanted to share his favorite music with the rest of us.

[@markrush5013]

exactly.canned heat was very respectful of the past.

[@j-5087]

Did not know the version existed and assumed Alan sang an original. I think I prefer this one more but love my canned heat

[@headlessspaceman5681]

It doesn't matter if he was a blues nerd. He straight up stole it.

[@JJMMWGDuPree]

@@dennisthemenace3695 - Yeah, they do. They're the ones who give credit and direct royalties to the people who should get it...

[@robertculliford5698]

Can't knock a band that pays their dues

[@garyjones3502]

My mother is still living. She was born in 1928. What a song.

[@red---paulvanravenswaay2247]

Happy 96th year!

[@DDizzdot]

My grandmother is 98 born August 6, 1925; Ernestine is her name

[@rozchristopherson648]

My mom was born in 1929. RIP ❤️🙏

[@motnosniv]

Don't neglect telling her that you love her more than anyone else. There's nothing like a mother's love.

[@mrglenn66]

95 years later and this song still kicks ass!

[@saints3824]

Its ok

[@SunofYork]

I say you must be American. John Cleese: "It's all bottoms with you people"

[@SunofYork]

@@TylerJones-gz3bx More than kind of creepy... Buying girls and keeping them as sex slaves legally ! And not long ago. My granddad (mother's dad) was born in 1862.... in slavery times. He was was English so not part of it

[@AmyWinehouse.914]

@@SunofYork Maybe you should have said "Bust his ass."

[@SunofYork]

@@AmyWinehouse.914 "Break your bottom" lol... It's all bottoms with Americans. Cleese kept marrying them for a while and he noticed it in every other sentence.

[@ianmccutcheon6319]

This is unreal. I am shocked. That flute part was so ahead of it's time. Henry Thomas I salute you .

[@memphismick7010]

Those are actually reeds that he played. Like a pan flute.

[@caretakerfochr3834]

@@memphismick7010 Wow. I thought for sure it must be a recorder.

[@brucemclaughlin7845]

Not a flute- it's a recorder.

[@majik_man]

@@brucemclaughlin7845 Thanks i was wondering. what it was also

[@peterwray6067]

Not recorder. He had a pan flute-like apparatus around his neck so he could blow them while strumming and fingering the guitar neck

[@RobCrespo-oh8zp]

Amazing! The blues always came first...Canned heat wow

[@garyrodriguez8414]

To think how g amous this tune became and how relevant it is to this day Ole Henry would be mighty proud if he knew!

[@kenhoughton2594]

OMG how did I make it this far in life without ever having heard this version before!! Amazing.

[@deborahpaley21]

thinking the same what the heck

[@johnlemoine5571]

Me too, Ken. Thank goodness for Bluetooth and KZbin.

[@ontheroad5317]

Exactly! I’ve been enjoying the Canned Heat cover all these years and I never knew about this original! But I see the same phenomenon these days. My kids will be listening to music, and I tell them it’s a song from the 60s. And they assumed it was new.

[@kevinneill9768]

Sadly black artists were never given there just due. Listen to some Sister Rosetta Tharpe for another great artist who was ahead of her time. Elvis covered several songs (thing You Ain't Nothin' But a Houndog) previously recorded by black artists. Racism kept many of these songs hidden from white ears.

[@nicholasskroumbelos6842]

Hound Dog was written by Lieber and Stoller. Look it up.

[@obiwan2112]

The Canned Heat version is certainly a classic. Makes me wonder what else I don't know about classics. Thanks Henry Thomas.

[@stevengarcia877]

you have a lot of surprised coming then ... i consider 1925 - 35 to be the golden age for just about all music take a listen to Jiimie Davis pre-decca recordings ... they will blow you away !!! especially when he paired with Snoozer Quinn .... Cliff Carlisle too , again Bluebirds and VIctors ....

[@patriciamorgan6545]

Led Zeppelin's When the Levee Breaks is also a cover. The song was written in 1929, about an actual levee breach in 1927. At least they gave credit.

[@lethrbear32]

Canned Heat did several covers of oldies. Fantastic covers at that. You can tell they respected these old songs by how well they performed them.

[@scootergeorge7089]

@@lethrbear32 The problem is, Canned Heat never gave credit to the original. They claimed it as their own. They stole the man's music.

[@artstrology]

He did it good.

[@randallbates9020]

I realize many people jump on later artists who remake these old blues songs but not me. I love that Led Zeppelin and Canned Heat and so many others actually knew about this great music and honored it. I never get tired of listening to Zeppelin doing when the levee breaks or so many others like Canned Heat doing this or the Animals and so on. Long live the blues and long live Rock and Roll.

[@stevenowell]

At Woodstock Baby

[@steverobinson364]

Keep in mind the original writers were not given credit until lawsuits kicked in

[@gervais.d8399]

Where all rock n roll music came from... The blues

[@stevelangstroth5833]

True, except for....... Psychedelic (circa 1966).

[@williamratekin7862]

Had no idea canned heat was covering this.I thought it was an original of theirs...

[@pegbars]

Me, neither. And they didn't even credit him on the label. >:(

[@JUANCARPENTERO]

A lot of those 60s bands owe a huge debt to bluesmen, some acknowledge it but most didn't. It's unfortunate because you can be sure Henry Thomas never made a fraction of what Canned Heat made

[@harvey1954]

@@pegbars Big surprise, huh ?

[@harvey1954]

@@JUANCARPENTERO The Rooftop singers claimed "Walk Right In" as their own tune. Figured Gus Cannon, who really wrote it, was long gone. He showed up one night at one of their NY shows. Asked them to explain why his name was on the hit record. Talk about an awkward situation.

[@dalewins9782]

I'm with you, I thought it was an original. Learn something new every day 🤣

[@Al-yf7tm]

The blues had a baby and they called it Rock n roll..

[@rozchristopherson648]

I’m 63. I remember the Canned Heat version back when I was a kid. Thank you for going back to the source. ❤❤❤

[@rodgerarne1437]

Same, I found this when I checked out the original Hey Joe by Billy Roberts, made famous by Jimi Hendrix. Had no idea this was an old folk song. Brilliant

[@maryreilly5092]

Tearing up listening to this today. What an honor to hear Mr. Thomas. Much Respect.

[@BennilocoLoves]

😥 me too.. ❤️‍🩹

[@pelumaad331]

Me too...something is missing in today's music...listening to this I feel the 20s, 30s and 60s....

[@kylethewolf]

this isn't like, a sad sounding song, what's so special about it? Just a nice blues

[@pelumaad331]

@@kylethewolf ...This song came around again when Canned Heat did the riff at Woodstock....check out the the flick...

[@Barbi-xu4sf]

Yes indeed

[@brownie1341]

I'm sure that Henry Thomas would have been flattered and thrilled to know his music was incredibly popular when covered by Canned Heat, and that we're still enjoying it 95 years later.

[@fraidnotsfortunatefew282]

I'm sure Henry Thomas would not have been happy with Canned Heat copying note for note his flute solo then putting Al Wilson's name as sole songwriter.

[@brownie1341]

@@fraidnotsfortunatefew282 Wow. That's disappointing to learn.

[@Charon58]

@@fraidnotsfortunatefew282 Thomas died thirty years before Canned Heat. Before the members were even born. But not crediting him was probably a way of avoiding royalties and it was pretty lame.

[@ChrisMezzolesta]

@@fraidnotsfortunatefew282 Read a book about the blues, in very few cases did one artist create something previously unheard in a vacuum. It's a folk art, and that's how Canned Heat approached it.

[@ratlips4363]

Do you mean "solen"?

[@ericgoodrich593]

I'm 66 and always thought this was a Canned Heat original (that became Woodstock's theme song ) not realizing it was a cover. They did it justice by keeping it close to the original. Music is a wonderful thing.

[@darrenrodd]

I never heard Canned Heat give a nod to the originator, the author of the tune...

[@davidconnellchicago]

​@@darrenroddagree. Looked to me like they claimed it as their own.

[@o---rr-gh-tti9398]

Or a penny!

[@Hoop-Snake-600]

@@davidconnellchicago It is basically plagiarism.

[@jawstheproducer1593]

Bruh this is AI

[@u.s.militia7682]

I can’t get enough of this. It’s the most genuine music I’ve ever heard.

[@bobparr4723]

I come from England and i am proud of the fact that many of the blues greats were brought over here from America in the 60s. Made so welcome by our people and the british blues bands that emulated and revered their roots music. Lets keep the blues alive and put those originals at the top of the pile, where they belong!! 👍👍

[@user-km2uk5xq7h]

This is absolutely astonishing. Henry Thomas deserves a special recognition for being a pioneer in music. In my 65 years of thinking I know who's who I'm floored by this excellent recording and Henry Thomas.

[@toboniumbeattie7062]

Remastered of course but yeah still amazing

[@peterhorbacz3058]

I'll be 65 soon and this is AWESOME. Good bless you MR. THOMAS. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@peterhorbacz3058]

God bless you

[@paulthanasse7405]

We're in the same boat!

[@yepiratesworkshop7997]

@@peterhorbacz3058 I'm two years older than you and I found this song a 'treasure,' too. Oh, where, oh, where has our music gone? I'd give almost anything to hear some 60's or 70' "balladeers" singing about today's times. Where the hell are they? Country Joe? Crosby, Stills Nash and Young? Joe Cocker? etc., etc. The music back then moved the young people and the young people started changing the world. Then, they all got sucked into the corporate fuckery that is today's wage-slave economy.

[@pgardner4269]

After hearing the Canned Heat version for the last 50 years, hearing this is like stepping into an Alternate Reality, where this was the song playing on the radio for all those years.

[@argononeya7080]

Songs like this are usually forgotten ,and rarely IF AT ALL played by any radio station .Ever heard the OG version of hound dog .It's vastly different .that's all I gotta say only Sometimes blues stations will air the OG music so many got super famous from covering But it's rare on am or fm radio

[@jwd5397]

Well said! I can relate to that.

[@maximisatwat]

Mm, I think just about every song Canned Heat recorded was a cover

[@gregbors8364]

When has *any* song by an OG blues man received commercial radio play? Hear a lot of Robert Johnson on your local “classic rock” station, do you?

[@patrickdaly5068]

@@gregbors8364Some NPR stations have played old blues stuff like this. I used to listen to one (called “Blues Before Sunrise,” years ago when I was a 3rd shifter) where the host played lots of stuff from old 78s.

[@michaeldeloach838]

Who came here after watching Killers of the Flower Moon and hearing this song? I always thought Canned Heat wrote it, as did many of you, but then I heard this original and my mind was blown. Had to search it out. Great song. Both versions.

[@D3R3LICTRECORDS]

It's artists like this that make me proud to be an American. We have such a rich and diverse musical history!

[@georgemayhew1283]

Music and food can bring us all together someday ❤

[@emilerose1424]

Me too. I'd be even prouder if the people who made it into a commercial hint showed respect for their fellow American and credited his authorship for royalties.

[@dagnabbit6187]

Yes indeed . I have always said whether it is blues from this guy or George Gershwin I would put’em up against the Europeans anyday .

[@emersononeill]

AMEN!

[@martinhill2583]

Pity the black man was racialy suppressed for so long

[@1morenote.]

That needle cracking just adds even more magic to this song

[@garyschneider8829]

And the sound quality is amazing as well

[@MitchellMaichak-ze7mr]

The audio equivalent of pinhole photography , beautiful in it's simplicity !!!

[@johnanthony9313]

I was lucky enough to listen to stuff like this as a young boy in 1950s Essex. My Dad was a dance band pianist and I was brought up with popular music. A lot of folk and Country songs and Black Blues. Music has stayed with me my whole life (77 years) and I know how lucky I am.

[@ericgeorgetruckgrilling]

Essex in which country??

[@carlbrown5150]

I am 71 (Iknow how you feel back in the day music was raw talent an art. Now its synthetic computerized no talent needed in a disposable society.!!🤨

[@nemo8416]

Those who can not just listen to music, but feel it, are truly lucky people.

[@johnanthony9313]

@@ericgeorgetruckgrilling ..sorry musicman, its Essex UK, just east of London

[@ericgeorgetruckgrilling]

@@johnanthony9313 Thanks man. I live in Ontario Canada and we have alot of cities named after various cities in the UK. Essex Ontario is about 2 hours west of London Ontario! I grew up in Windsor which is across the US border from Detroit MI. Grew up listening to Motown from Detroit and blues from Chicago. Because my dad was in radio and television I got to see alot of up and coming musicians and my sister had a friend who was a music promoter and she got to see the Beatles in Detroit in I think '66.

[@pyenygren2299]

A 95 years old song in 2023, and it is still a good song.

[@henrywinchester9372]

Music really is a Time Machine it’s insane to think of what a completely different world this song was recorded in

[@WMACPT]

Good Lord we're all so blessed to hear this version! I have no words but to be humbled and thankful!

[@robertcameron9029]

very well said

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Bowled over(Humbled).

[@heregulmithal7063]

I agree.

[@Rose-rk9ln]

Very humbled and grateful to hear this!

[@alfasdelpi]

What a nugget of gold this is. Found it by accident. Fabulous.

[@minionofgozer7414]

This song is around 95 years old... it's close to a century old and it's still as joyful to listen to as the day it was recorded 😎

[@Irpsnerple]

I never knew this song wasn't "Canned Heat." This is awesome fo the original recording in 1928. Very nicely done,, some fine blues from that era. Thank you for posting.

[@gregcraven6130]

This is what real music is to sound like it's 2023 who's still listen to this song i am

[@jjvh66]

Good music is timeless.

[@richardstiers9010]

I always loved the Canned Heat version. I am surprised at how little they actually contributed to this wonderful, delicate song. And SO cheerful! 😊

[@RevCeleste]

Hard to improve on Perfection. They just did it in the Next Generation or so. Love it love it love it

[@carolmikofsky4976]

They mashed in the song by Blind Willie McTell of Atlanta, Georgia.

[@jimyoung940]

He's got the secret to being laid back and rocking at the same time.

[@MariusRiley]

💯

[@wmanadeau7860]

Right

[@Shelfandtabletoplayouts00gauge]

Perfect summation

[@mortalclown3812]

Underrated comment.

[@jubalcalif9100]

Very perceptive comment ! Thank you for sharing !

[@sandramorey2529]

Thank you, KZbin for not letting this genius be forgotten.

[@PiperDowns]

how blessed we are that even under the brutality and hardships of slavery something truly unique and beautiful was born in spite of the terrible circumstances. these songs were passed down over generations by word of mouth and played by self taught musicians. how lucky we are that these treasures were kept alive until they could be recorded for future generations to enjoy. The Blues are a testament to the human soul's ability to endure and thrive under the worst conditions imaginable. America just wouldn't be as special without the rich and diverse groups of people living life the best they knew how.

[@michaelwillis3491]

Oh, how I agree!

[@MrHammerman97]

Was he a slave?

[@subaruthug]

Always got to bring the slave stuff into it.....he doesn't seem like a slave to me, he seems like a musician? Did they give slaves a guitar and let them go and record records back in those days?

[@JustJonny17]

Barbary slave trade bro, WE ARE ALL slaves… knock it off

[@raythrush4665]

It's music not race

[@coffeehigh420]

interesting FACT : The Beatles were messing around / jamming with the Canned Heat version of this song and it morphed into what we now know as "Get Back". In other words, your song recorded in 1928 is the reason we have "Get Back" from The Beatles. Thank you, Mr. Henry Thomas. - Music NEVER dies :). (look up on youtube "going up the country beatles" and you'll find what I'm speaking of / hear the actual recordiing of the jam session with Paul, George, John and Ringo playing "Going Up The Country".

[@georgegaylord]

Can’t beat the old delta blues classic as they are the true roots of Southern rock and any good rock from the last 70 years

[@g.m.watson1963]

Henry Thomas was from Texas, not Mississippi. This song has nothing to do with the Delta style.

[@user-cv6lx5hs4t]

Long Live Henry Thomas and his music. ♾️

[@thelegendinhisownmind7038]

I thought Canned Heat was originally responsible for this awesome song. I simply can't believe this was recorded in 1928. Absolutely mind blowing! 😁

[@kimcutts6153]

🇬🇧 NO FKN WAY!? I always thought Canned heat were the originals!! 1928?? WHAT?? As our cousins across the pond would say "Im Shook"! This is nothin short of amazing. And its made me sooooo happy. 🎶🎼

[@scott-in-dfw3005]

Thank you Blind Owl, Bear and the guys for such a faithful cover. Tears in my eyes. Seriously.

[@KevyNova]

It’s only a cover when you give credit. When you take credit for yourself, it’s theft.

[@scott-in-dfw3005]

@@KevyNova Did they actually claim credit for writing the song, or just fail to mention it? Back then, all the bands (mostly) were greatly influenced by those early blues artists. Page and the boys didn't give credit for that Killin' Floor riff in the Lemon Song, but didn't claim it for themselves either.

[@scott-in-dfw3005]

Wow, okay I looked up the original album cover and Country is credited to Wilson.

[@KevyNova]

@@scott-in-dfw3005 it wasn’t a mistake. They took credit. And Zeppelin credited themselves for much more than a riff in “The Lemon Song” which is actually “Killing Floor”, a song that Jimi Hendrix also covered but gave credit on. Zeppelin (or rather Page and Plant) gave themselves credit on many songs that they didn’t write, including “Dazed And Confused”, “Black Mountain Side”, “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You”, “Whole Lotta Love”, “In My Time Of Dying”, and many more.

[@lilajagears8317]

@@KevyNova Still the greatest band EVER.

[@KohalaLover]

Direct from Henry’s heart and soul. Absolutely beautiful.

[@master-diver5832]

The flute part seems way more contemporary for the modern era than when it was recorded in 1928. A true gem. Blues music flow through my veins. Thank you for this video.

[@donhuber9131]

Thomas's cane quills definitely have an earthier sound. A lot harder to play than a flute as well, especially held in a harmonica rack. His chord changes are bang on!

[@maskcollector6949]

@@donhuber9131 Thanks for the name of what they're called, I know them as Pan flutes.

[@bugzyhardrada3168]

​@@maskcollector6949it's weird picturing blue artists playing on pan fluets on the 1920s On a totally unrelated matter, I still remember those two South Park episodes to well...

[@donhuber9131]

@@bugzyhardrada3168 The quills, the proper name, possibly have an Afro-Carribean component that appealed to fine traditional musicians such as Henry Thomas.

[@donhuber9131]

@@johnzenkin1344 I don't understand your comment, but that's okay. There are outstanding contemporary performances on quills by Dom Flemons and Mike Seeger to be enjoyed on KZbin. Flemons was a founding member of The Carolina Chocolate Drops, and I was lucky to catch them on tour just before they went their separate ways. I was fortunate to take a couple of workshops with Seeger at the Ozark Folk Center in Mtn View, AR before he passed on. Mike Seeger and Dom Flemons are mainly responsible for keeping Henry Thomas' legacy alive in the traditional American music scene, as it exists.

[@lindahandley5267]

This makes me cry. Mr. Thomas deserves so much recognition.

[@dondouglass6415]

To hear a voice from so long ago... Well, what more can I say? The singer still lives... Absolutely wonderful...

[@SunofYork]

My granddad was born in 1862

[@GavinLepley]

@@SunofYork Mine was born in 1952.

[@SunofYork]

@@GavinLepley Heck make sure he isn't left alone when he gets old. I have a GREAT granddaughter and my grandkids never send even an email. Talking to other coffin dodgers, this is normal nowadays.. Too busy with iPhones and tattoos and lip plumping and botty lifts and cannabis etc I use to push bike 3 miles to see my old granny twice a week... "EEE lad I am right glad to see you...sit down and have a biscuit"... She brought up 13 kids. Hers/his theirs I never knew either of my granddads ..One shot by the Germans in 1917, and one died of excitement on my parents wedding day.... and my grand children don't give a damn.. I have 2.5 million in loose cash but their dad is filthy rich (via hi dead dad), so no incentive there.

[@frankstefini3392]

500 years from now people will still be loving it !

[@dexterd3316]

ya man raaaastaaaa benjiiiiii

[@GavinLepley]

If humanity isn't wiped out by its own ego by then.

[@thekarmafarmer608]

How do you know?

[@t16205]

@@thekarmafarmer608 Because its obvious

[@thekarmafarmer608]

@@t16205 Oh.

[@u.s.militia7682]

I bet Mr. Thomas would never believe how famous this song is. Millions upon millions have heard it.

[@mrflappie6553]

Every day I discover more songs of which I thought the original version was from the 60s/70s but turn out to be decades older.

[@BILLY-px3hw]

The flute melody line makes this song what it is, hats off to the person responsible

[@billgausman5887]

If you look carefully, you can see his home made pan flute hanging around his neck. It is that tapered thing just above his guitar. One pipe per note.

[@adrianjohnson5928]

It's Henry Thomas playing pan pipes on a rack round his neck while strumming the guitar. What a beautiful combination. And there's a reason why no one else has done it... it's impossible!!!

[@jzonkel]

@@adrianjohnson5928 i know a guy on instagram who does it

[@wilburrwould2170]

My sister had a Canned Heat Album with this song, I used to sit and play it over and over...Thank You Henry Thomas.

[@jabbardawud5036]

No one can duplicate the way he did this song. He's on another level.

[@stevengarcia877]

listen to his version of John Henry !!! blows away everyone else ... btw , that's not a flute, Henry played shepards pipes along with his guitar ... garce

[@lochnessmonster9754]

Id say Alan Wilson did just fine

[@richhahn2443]

I was thinking how true to the original Canned Heat was.

[@draymen8754]

So glad I was able to hear this song.

[@FishBait-ug6ek]

Wow! 1928! That's when my dad was born, and I'm 69.

[@steg_of_neth.2877]

Timeless, foot tapping, feel good music.

[@angryox3102]

Realized that I was tapping my foot when I read your comment haha

[@budewsama3881]

Damn. Caught me in the act.

[@MarkBak76]

Tapping 2 feet then read this

[@jubalcalif9100]

As I do when I take off my hat, you make a good point !!

[@larserikolofosterling2338]

Me too tapping feet then I read this....

[@MichaelBrown-zp1sf]

I love all kinds of music, country, rock, rap, blue grass, and blues, and I love this old fashioned song too. This world is filled with so much talent. Keep an open mind and enjoy the beautiful tapestry.

[@ronkagarise5512]

My dad played canned heat record at home and 8 tracks in the car. As a 10 year old, I fell in love with this style of music. When I hear this song, it reminds me of going places in his 72 skylark. Good times

[@madelinemaize1426]

OMG My dad's skylark! 8 track tape player, windows down, headed for Cape May NJ...1973

[@nicoleono3981]

Fuck Canned Heat for not giving this guy credit...same with Led Zep who didn't credit Robert Johnson for the Lemon Song...gross!!

[@LyleStacpoole]

WHAT??? 1928?? WOW - you can hear the rock and roll gaining momentum as the song progresses ... a true pioneer and totally under-rated!!! his progeny should be truly totally proud of their ancestor!!! thanks for uploading Eser ...

[@davidjhitztaler-mrrocklight]

Thanks to Henry Thomas ❤

[@legionaer1125]

Remember, this song is near 100 Years Gold.

[@slgr7]

Killers of the Flower Moon brought me here.

[@ek6648]

This is almost 100 years ago, let that sink in...... And now we are listening on a device that would be called sorcery back then

[@cliftonjarvis8010]

Hell it is

[@wraithstrongopark]

not really. the first t.v. was was demonstrated a year before this song came out(invented by a guy who didn't even have electricity until he was a teenager), movies had been a thing for over 30 years, radio close behind. magazines in america were filled with the ideas of tesla and the edison corp., including computers. so take it easy there, the early 20th century was not medieval times by any stretch of the imagination.

[@thedogisclosed]

​@@wraithstrongopark the course of the technological revolutions was set indeed, but from those days to now is a huge leap. they probably wouldn't have called it sorcery though. :D

[@johnhernandez8223]

The tune is probably a 'traditional' tune dating way back in American history. But this original source is indeed a blues milestone and wonderful!! You'll go nuts trying to find blues music recorded earlier than this one!!

[@spikeklein2196]

I had no idea. Thank you for posting this

[@argononeya7080]

I love this raw ole music Done by usually self taught musicians Back then I'm not sure lessons were even a thing For simple strumming .This is as raw as it gets,and I love every freaking note .

[@brushstroke3733]

I never thought about it, but I'm sure you're right - there were no formal lessons for blues and folk music at that time. Very few teachers and students might have studied classical guitar, but otherwise, guitar was still a fairly under appreciated instrument.

[@obbor4]

Pretty much the same can be said about all of the rock musicians in the 60s and 70s also. They learned these songs by ear by listening to the records.

[@Skorpio420]

Self taught or adding music to the songs their parents, maybe even grandparents, sang to them.

[@user-oi7xe1bx6h]

This is so awesome 👌 I bet he would be happy that young people are listening 💯 years later.. People want to be remembered.

[@spiderkins]

I'm not young, but still listening to this great original.

[@user-se5nj8fz9u]

OMG! This is fantastic. Canned Heat must have been so influenced by Henry Thomas. I have never heard this ever! Pure Soul. Thanks for posting this.

[@joseolvera013]

This song, like many others of its kind, has a gentle aura. Even in the darkest of times, I just feel safe whenever I listen to Henry Thomas.

[@kaecake9575]

Rock n Roll at its finest 👈

[@JB-rw9xt]

I just learned Henry was also playing a “quill” on this song - an ancient instrument that makes the flute like sound.

[@mcatman34]

If you look close you can see the "quill" (pan flute) hanging around his neck.

[@guinottewise]

Thanks--good to know.

[@grandelagarto3220]

A quill is a flute.

[@JoeKoOhNo]

Good idea by Canned Heat to keep that part.

[@skychristypresents4313]

That thing sounds great

[@woodentie8815]

Great song and performance, and that fantastic flute!😄

[@margaretwilson1539]

This is wonderful!! Love the whole package..great sound...👍🙂

[@jackster2352]

90 years later we’re doing sick kick flips and grinds to this beat

[@garryturland7254]

Well you learn something new everyday….big fan of Canned Heat, now a fan of Henry Thomas 😎👍

[@michaelsilacki6619]

Love this story black musicians stated all this great music but never got recognition

[@merlinofavalon6721]

Brilliant! Canned Heat owe their success to this man!

[@LilSlav4123]

This song effortlessly captures the essence of joy and adventure. It's a foot-tapping, soul-lifting masterpiece that will have you hooked from the very first note.

[@jamiehalifax4954]

Toes are tapping reading your post !

[@irieite9666]

The music and melody I agree. But the lyrics are anything but uplifting, adventurous etc. Its about a black guy in the very early 20th century trying and failing to find somewhere he won't be whipped with a bullrope. "I'm going where I'll never get a bull dose Im going whete ill never get a bull dose" "If you dont think I'm sinking look what a hole im in If you dont think I'm sinking look what a hole im in If you don't think im sinking look what a fool I've been" "Oh my babe take me back, I ain't welcome take me back" He leaves Mobile, Alabama and goes to the Ku Klux Kapital of Memphis Tennessee and sees its even worse for him there and longs to be back getting whipped in Alabama.

[@johnpowys5755]

@@irieite9666 That's interesting - I wondered why it is also called bull dose blues. Somehow it is still music about overcoming your troubles.

[@gresleyt.9163]

It wasnt about adventure ,it was about him trying to escape the klu klux klan and realising it was impossible….so he realises he has to go back to oppression….

[@stephencopps1561]

The Canned Heat version stays utterly faithful to this gem ❤ I've never heard this before 😴

[@charlesatkins9215]

Holly Molly, now that's what I call a classic ...

[@motsy15]

So many classic rock songs came from earlier generations. This is one of the best. Them old dudes and dudettes like Elizabeth Cotton could get down!

[@derektoner8148]

Henry Thomas take a bow ....and Canned Heat what foresight to take a 30 odd year old song and "rock it" ....two great versions of this song ....made my day that one !!

[@markpage7196]

Still listening almost 100 years later.

[@retronostalgiafan8635]

The most beautiful song I’ve ever heard! The canned heat version is awesome but this version has so much soul from Henry’s guitar playing and vocals! This song is a inspiration for me

[@sindymace5228]

Had a feeling he did this song. Just heard of him with that video clip people wonder if it is him and the way he did that whistle instrument told me that he did this song. My heart knows good music..thank the Lord!!!

[@burnysbigbeavers]

1928 … man that’s insane 😮… Henry Thomas a legend. Shout out to Canned Heat too ❤

[@LoriannSmithsanpell]

I never knew this was a cover by Canned Heat! I am just loving this!! 1928! Oh man, thank you for posting this great song! 😊❤

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

There's a lot to hear in southern music, back to the earliest recordings in America.

[@user-fj1pq8me7w]

Black Crowes Hard to Handle was a cover as well

[@pit2ryan3]

@@user-fj1pq8me7w - Yes, but at least they gave credit to it... Canned Heat just didn't...

[@karlstrand2005]

I had no idea either.

[@veronique8748]

Il faut savoir que tout est reprise dans ce monde ! Rien n a été inventé C'est Ecrit dans la bible

[@miked4377]

wow.....that's a great tune....never knew it went back that far.... .. . .

[@brentboggess3906]

Thanks to Eser and Canned Heat for bringing this song to the present, it might not have ever been heard by people my age. I'm a blues history buff, by no means an expert, but I've never heard of Henry Thomas. Thanks Eser.

[@mercury4metal]

Hearing this tells me one thing,…………today’s music sucks! This is pure and clean! ❤

[@That_AMC_Guy]

The fact this song has been preserved nearly 100 years later shows that it definitely has some staying power.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

We can get back to this in mainstream culture, if more independent musicians got some attention. I wish I could do this and make a living. I write songs, and try to fight the culture war we’re in right now. If we lose, I may have to end it all, because the outcome of a loss would be catastrophic for humanity.

[@That_AMC_Guy]

@@JackTheRabbitMusic If only it were possible again that every little town that had a radio station; had a recording studio. It would also be nice if there were more than three record companies in the world as there's just no push for competition anymore. There's no drive for anybody to discover a new sound or new group. It's dreadfully sad and I think we are looking at some dark times ahead. They've taken away our coloured chalk.

[@gervais.d8399]

Do you like Is nirvana ? This is where he got it from. Fact

[@cawiltu]

There are no poets to write lyrics anymore. The songs just say one 2 words over and over

[@wildrosecece]

That’s an incredibly clean recording

[@YTRopp]

a bit too clean for me, to be from 1928. Also the frequency range seems impossible for such age

[@jysmtl]

@@YTRopp I too am suspicious. The pan flute sounds added on top later. Anybody know more about this recording?

[@gammeltfossil]

It's definitely a real recording😂 It was released on 78. Henry Thomas plays reed flute on many of his recordings.

[@jysmtl]

@@gammeltfossil Yes, I can see that he recorded in 1928. How do you know the flute on this one is real?

[@gammeltfossil]

@@jysmtl what else would it be? The earliest examples of overdubbing were released in the late fourties and many of his records have flutes like this. His records are rare but not impossibly so. Many collectors own the original 78s and they can confirm that the discs are from the late twenties.

[@pelumaad331]

Blind Owl and Canned Heat did this justice...keep the good old stuff alive!

[@markjames495]

It's only a shame He couldn't be here today to see how much influence He had, How long this song was listened to and how popular it became.

[@kopirka1]

Killers of the Flower Moon

[@Leopard_Lover]

I just left the cinema after watching Killers of the Flower Moon. Scorsese’s taste in music surpasses anyone on this planet. I had no idea this wasn’t written by canned heat, either. Thank you ❤ 🎶

[@stuartlevine5836]

Actually, Scorsese's taste in music was derived from the fact that he had Robbie Robertson as his musical director. Robertson, of course, died shortly before the film was released and the film is dedicated to him.

[@Leopard_Lover]

@@stuartlevine5836 thank you for this info. Scorsese writes scenes to songs fyi he does choose a lot of the music in his films.

[@alanwoodcock3284]

So raw right from the heart 😊