Harry McClintock
Folk / Americana
Old-Time (Traditional)
Harry “Haywire Mac” McClintock was an American singer-songwriter, railroad man, and labor organizer best remembered for writing and popularizing the hobo anthems “Big Rock Candy Mountain” and “Hallelujah, I'm a Bum.” His original 1928 recording of “Big Rock Candy Mountain” opened the Coen Brothers' film O Brother, Where Art Thou?
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- Born October 8, 1882 (some sources say 1884); died April 24, 1957, in San Francisco.
- Lived a roving early life as a busker, railroad worker, and cowboy, drawing on it for his hobo and labor songs.
- Joined the Industrial Workers of the World and took part in the 1911 Fresno Free Speech Fight.
- Wrote and popularized “Hallelujah, I'm a Bum,” which became an IWW marching song.
- Recorded “Big Rock Candy Mountain” for Victor in 1928.
- That 1928 recording was used to open the Coen Brothers' O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000).