Hamilton Ironworks

Hamilton Ironworks is John Hartford's last album, recorded before his death in 2001. Along with the Hartford Stringband, Hartford interprets 22 traditional fiddle tunes. The title track is a traditional Ozarks tune referring to an old mine in Meramec State Park, Missouri.^[1]

Hamilton Ironworks

September 11, 2001

August 2000

Bluegrass

Rounder

Bob Carlin

The euphemistic title "Politic" is Hartford's playful bow to what he refers to as "political correctness" concerning a certain word from an earlier and more overtly racist era of American history—the tune has traditionally been commonly known as "N****r In The Woodpile," a phrase which originated in the mid-19th century in the context of Southern runaway slaves hiding in freight-wagons loaded with wood in their attempts to flee to the North. The word "politic" is an adjective which means "(of an action) seeming sensible and judicious under the circumstances." In this track, Hartford is heard to half-sing, "'Politic'--now, it's a name so politically incorrect that we can't even explain it in the liner notes... 'Politic'-- perhaps the only way is to come up to me at a show or a festival, and I'll whisper it in your ear..."

All tracks are Traditional.

It’s worth noting that what some commonly refer to and often disparage as “political correctness” is seen by others as deeply offensive, as in the case of this song’s original title.

- fiddle, vocals

John Hartford

- banjo

Bob Carlin

- mandolin

Mike Compton

Larry Perkins - banjo, bass, fiddle

- guitar

Chris Sharp

Producer: Bob Carlin

Recording Engineer and mixing: Wes Lachot

Mastering: David Glasser

Design: Joanna Bodenweber

Liner notes: John Hartford

Hamilton Ironworks