(Big John) (Big John) Every morning at the mine you could see him arrive
He stood six-foot-six and weighed two-forty-five
King of broad at the shoulder at narrow at the hip
And everybody knew you didn’t give no lip to Big John
(Big John) (Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)
These opening lines immediately paint a vivid picture of Big John, a man of immense physical stature and presence. The repetition of “(Big John)” emphasizes his name and establishes him as the central figure of the song. His imposing physique – “six-foot-six and weighed two-forty-five” – is described with simple yet effective imagery, highlighting his dominance at the mine. Phrases like “King of broad at the shoulder” further solidify his powerful and respected position among the miners. The concluding line of the verse, “everybody knew you didn’t give no lip to Big John,” hints at a personality that commands respect, perhaps even fear, but also suggests an unspoken code of conduct around him.
Nobody seemed to know where John called home
He just drifted into town and stayed all alone
He didn’t say much a kind a quiet and shy
And if you spoke at all you just said “hi” to Big John
This verse introduces an air of mystery surrounding Big John. His origins are unknown (“Nobody seemed to know where John called home”), adding to his enigmatic persona. He is depicted as a loner, “drifted into town and stayed all alone,” which contrasts with his commanding presence at the mine, suggesting a possible internal conflict or a past he keeps hidden. Despite his size, he is described as “kind a quiet and shy,” a surprising juxtaposition that adds depth to his character. This quiet nature further contributes to his mystique, making him an intriguing figure in the mining community.
Somebody said he came from New Orleans
Where he got in a fight over a Cajun Queen
And a crashing blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the promised land. Big John
(Big John) (Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)
Rumors and legends begin to swirl around Big John in this verse. The mention of New Orleans and a “Cajun Queen” introduces a romantic and potentially dangerous past. The “fight” and the “crashing blow” that “sent a Louisiana fellow to the promised land” hint at a violent incident in his past, reinforcing the “Big Bad John” moniker and suggesting a capacity for formidable, even lethal, force. This verse serves to amplify his legendary status, making him more than just a big miner; he becomes a figure with a potentially dark and exciting history.
Then came the day at the bottom of the mine
When a timber cracked and the men started crying
Miners were praying and hearts beat fast
And everybody thought that they’d breathed their last ‘cept John
This verse marks a turning point in the narrative, shifting from character description to a dramatic event. “The day at the bottom of the mine” signifies a moment of crisis. The “timber cracked,” a classic symbol of danger in mining, plunging the miners into peril. “Men started crying” and “hearts beat fast” effectively convey the fear and desperation of the situation. The line “everybody thought that they’d breathed their last ‘cept John” sets Big John apart once again, foreshadowing his heroic actions and highlighting his courage in the face of imminent danger.
Through the dust and smoke of this man made hell
Walked a giant of a man that the miners knew well
Grabbed a sagging timber and gave out with a groan
And like a giant oak tree just stood there alone Big John
(Big John) (Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)
The imagery intensifies in this verse, depicting the mine as a “man made hell” filled with “dust and smoke,” emphasizing the hazardous working conditions. Amidst this chaos, Big John emerges as a beacon of hope. He is described as “a giant of a man,” reinforcing his physical strength and heroic stature. His actions are described with powerful verbs: “Walked,” “Grabbed,” “gave out with a groan,” portraying his immense effort and determination. The simile “like a giant oak tree” further emphasizes his strength and resilience as he single-handedly confronts the collapsing mine.
And with all of his strength he gave a mighty shove
Then a miner yelled out there’s a light up above
And twenty men scrambled from a would be grave
And now there’s only one left down there to save Big John
This is the climax of Big John’s heroism. “With all of his strength he gave a mighty shove” describes the pivotal act of saving his fellow miners. The cry “there’s a light up above” signifies their salvation, brought about by Big John’s incredible effort. “Twenty men scrambled from a would be grave” highlights the scale of the disaster averted and the number of lives he saved. The poignant line “now there’s only one left down there to save Big John” underscores his ultimate sacrifice.
With jacks and timbers they started back down
Then came that rumble way down in the ground
And smoke and gas belched out of that mine
Everybody knew it was the end of the line for Big John
Despite the miners’ attempts to return and help, fate intervenes. “Jacks and timbers” represent their efforts to rescue Big John, but “that rumble way down in the ground” signifies further collapse and inescapable doom. “Smoke and gas belched out of that mine” creates a sense of finality and tragedy. “Everybody knew it was the end of the line for Big John” confirms the heartbreaking outcome of his selfless act.
(Big John) (Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)
Now they never reopened that worthless pit
They just placed a marble stand in front of it
These few words are written on that stand
At the bottom of this mine lies a big, big man Big John
(Big John) (Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)…
The final verses transition to the aftermath and legacy of Big John. “They never reopened that worthless pit” emphasizes the mine’s insignificance compared to the sacrifice made. The “marble stand” becomes a memorial, a testament to Big John’s heroism. The inscription “At the bottom of this mine lies a big, big man Big John” serves as a simple yet powerful epitaph, encapsulating his physical stature and, more importantly, his immense courage and selflessness. The repeated refrain “(Big John) (Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)…” fades out, echoing the enduring legend of Big Bad John, forever remembered as the heroic miner.
