In a popular folk song, African-American John Henry dies trying to compete with a steel-driving machine (for laying railroad ties). Of several versions, this is the gist of one:

When John Henry was a little baby boy, sitting on his papa's knee
Well he picked up a hammer and little piece of steel
Said Hammer be the death of me, Lord, Lord
Hammer be the death of me

The captain said to John Henry
I'm gonna bring that steam drill 'round
I'm gonna bring that steam drill on the job
I'm gonna whup that steel on down, Lord, Lord
Gonna whup that steel on down

John Henry told his captain
Lord a man ain't nothing but a man
But before I'd let your steam drill beat me down
I'd die with a hammer in my hand, Lord, Lord
I'd die with a hammer in my hand

John Henry asid to his shaker
Shaker why don't you sing
Because I'm swinging thirty pounds from my hips on down
Just listen to that cold steel ring, Lord, Lord
Just listen to that cold steel ring

Now the man that invented the steam drill
He thought he was mighty fine
But John Henry drove fifteen feet
The steam drill only made nine, Lord, Lord
The steam drill only made nine

John Henry hammered in the mountains
His hammer was striking fire
But he worked so hard, it broke his poor heart
And he laid down his hammer and he died, Lord, Lord
He laid down his hammer and died

There are too many johnhenrys out there -- competing with machines and electrines and programs and bots!

FOLLY WHEN SELF-INFLICTED. SLAVERY WHEN NOT.