Johnstown, Pennsylvania was the original American Steel Town that mined the coal and smelted the steel that made the railroad track that brought together the United States of America from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Immigrants from many lands made their home here, built her ethnic churches here and gave their lives to make the steel that made America great. But times have changed and Johnstown is searching for it's soul and a new purpose for it's community. This song empathizes with and celebrates that painful that painful but essential transition process. It is a song that has purpose
Johnstown, Johnstown
Looking down up on the town from the Inclined Plane
Johnstown Spreads before me, her glory still remains
She is the ancient Steel-town that built the U.S.A.
Laying Rail across the land from sea to shining sea
Immigrants from other lands, made their new home here
Working on the Open Hearth, pouring molten steel
Laboring deep within the Earth, they heard her constant sighing
As they bent their backs and breathed in the dust from which they would be dying
Johnstown, Johnstown, they say your days are done
Your mills are closed and now the coal is heading out of town
What you gonna do? What you gonna do?
Johnstown, Johnstown
Where you gonna go? Where you gonna go?
Johnstown, Johnstown
Those who stayed would not give up. They just loved the place
And those who came to make new lives although from a different race
Would soon learn to work as One to recreate her glory
Working side by side they strove to tell a different story
Johnstown, Johnstown, your days are hardly done
Roll up Your sleeves and get to work, building back your town
Study up! Make a plan! Johnstown, Johnstown
Plan Your work! Work Your plan! Johnstown, Johnstown
Looking down upon the town from the Incline Plane
Johnstown spreads before us. Her glory still remains
She was the ancient Steel-town that built the U.S.A.
But now she rises from the dust to face another day
Johnstown, Johnstown, your glory will return
Trust in God and do the job, you know that must be done
Just Believe, I Guarantee, that all things work for good
Forward March! The future waits! You are here to stay!
Johnstown, Johnstown, your glory will return
Trust in God and do the job, you know that must be done
@nancycunning Feb 2022
I love songs that tell about real people and real places. This feels like just the right style for a song about Johnstown. One of my best friends grew up in Johnstown. Are you from there?
@jcooper Feb 2022
This is a lovely write. Well done. You have a very engaging voice.
@nancyrost Feb 2022
The first thing I notice is your classic folk voice. And then there's a story to match. And a very singable refrain.