It is based on the life and death of Joe Hill, a trade union activist and songwriter.

[2] The opera's libretto is based on a play by the American Barrie Stavis, The Man Who Never Died, which was first performed at the Jan Hus Theater in New York City in 1958.

[4] It is based on the life of Joe Hill, an immigrant to the U.S. from Sweden, who became a union activist and songwriter.

[3] Four songs by Joe Hill, written as encouragement of industrial workers, became musical material for the composition.

Reviewer James Helme Sutcliffe of The New York Times noted that the performance was "visually exciting despite the economy of the approach".