Sixteen Tons is a song written by Merle Travis, but it has been made famous by the version recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford. It is a classic working man's song and it has been covered by many artists, among them Johnny Cash (the second version featured here). A fine blues take has been done by Big Bill Broonzy. Aesthetically, I find the rendering of American singer Anna Domino to be the most attractive - it was produced by Blaine L. Reininger of Tuxedo Moon fame. Frank Tovey, who called himself Fad Gadget in the 80ies and changed to his real name to do more folk-oriented music in the 90ies included a version of Sixteen Tons on his 1989 album Tyranny and the Hired Hand, consisting of working class songs. And finally a jazzy version by I don't know who.
Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Cain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
If you see me comin', better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you
Then the left one will
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
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