Dark tune about dark times. Legendary. My old man grew up in 20's and 30's in coal mine town in western KY. Dirt poor, barely subsistence living and it is true you were in debt to coal company with no way out. Black lung, mine accidents and violence between men was very common. My dad witnessed two murders - one including friends - and knew of a few others - all in a small town. This tune is viewed as an old time quaint country tune, but it subject is pretty grim. With WWII, my dad escaped.
I love this story about your dad. It makes me happy to know he left that lifestyle because if WWII. Its a good thing to know that one can leave and start a new lifestyle 0:13 , isen't it. I have a problem with being in debt im working on it. Im fournate to not be additicted. I was to cigarretts. and left that . Were men, strong enough to change for the better,
I have always liked this song done by Tennessee Ernie Ford. BUT! To hear and see the author of this song singing it is a real treat! Very good video. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Merle is on record saying that he used to hate Tennessee Ernie doing this song, until they suddenly started selling. After several years, Ernie 's version broke out, to the tune of 4 million copies, and then everyone had to cover it, and Merle says he suddenly became a great friend of Tennessee Ernie Ford.
PickerDad As the writer of the tune, Merle got a nice royalty check out of that deal, I think that's how it works anyway. Go salute the mailbox every month. Somebody once asked Don McLean "what does the song 'Miss American Pie' really mean?" He replied "It means I never have to work again if I don't want to."
As a child, this was the first song that I ever memorized. It was the Tennessee Ernie Ford version. It is really nice to hear it in its original version. So nice.
I thought Paul Robeson was first. Here is the correct chronology from ChatGPT: Merle Travis wrote and first recorded "Sixteen Tons" in 1946. His version was the first official recording of the song. Paul Robeson then also recorded the song in 1947. Robeson's version was less well known but still significant, especially given his status as a prominent artist and activist. Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded his famous version in 1955, which became a massive hit and achieved great commercial success. So, Merle Travis was the first to record the song, followed by Paul Robeson and later Tennessee Ernie Ford.
LOVE THIS! Years ago, I was in the Army deployed to Hungary. We were restricted to base except for one restaurant off post that my buddy Jeremy and I got a gig to play. It was my first sort-of paying gig...goulash, bread, and a coke from the owner. We thought we were going to play for 20 minutes, tops. Turned out we were there for the next five hours. We started off well, but my voice started to give out, and we were getting tired, messing up some songs badly, and were ready to leave about 10:30 with our tails between our legs. Part of our problem was we had no idea what they wanted to hear. We were getting ready to pack up and leave when a man walked up from the other end of the restaurant with a yellowed piece of paper with this scribbled on it: "16 Tonnes." I had the song in a cheat book, and another friend of ours who was there sat in and played guitar (he was far better than me) and my buddy played harmonica while I did my best Tennessee Ernie Ford imitation. We absolutely killed, huge applause. After that we could do no wrong. We played like pros, voices were perfect, everything just clicked. Turned out the man and his family were sitting in the back room listening to us the whole night. The grand dame of the family came up and just bragged on us effusively, and the best we could translate she compared me to a matador. I think that was good. The man came back up and said he wanted to introduce me to his sister. I didn't see that going well, and we were already past the curfew so we got ready to make our escape. As we walked out, the man introduced the girl. She was about 19, and one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen (I was still in my 20s at the time). They wanted us to go to another party, but Jeremy was practically dragging me away then. "On no, Paul, we have to go, remember?" Anyway, I will never forget that night, and I still have that piece of paper 22 years later.
@@andym7165it used to be called Country Western, then the “western” was dropped and the music changed. Taylor Swift started in Country but I knew right away it wasn’t for her - can’t stand her singing anyway!!! There used to be a show in a cable channel TNN many years ago - had some great shows thst featured many of the C/W stars in a very cool show - like a bunch of people singing and talking!
A story song and you can actually understand every word. The version by Tennessee Ernie Ford was the very first song I memorized entirely at the age of about 3 or so. Many years later, I discovered the composer's version. Kudos to Merle Travis for writing a classic that will survive the ages.
Merle was always a brilliant songwriter. This is one of my favorites. I heard it was given to Ernie Ford by accident. Of course with his amazing voice he "owned" it for the rest of time.
Surprise! Music Videos actually started in the late 40s. Somebody figured out how to play a movie on a little screen attached to the Juke Box. 5 cents to hear a record, 10 cents to see it. It was a Hollywood company of course, and tMerle Travis was one of the biggest musicians living in Hollywood. He banged off a whole series of these mini-films for the juke box, and so we still have them to enjoy. You're right, it's like a time capsule.
@@pickerdad8402 There are some good YT videos of Willie Nelson on television back in the day - probably not like Merle Travis's music vids, but very entertaining as well.
Настоящая песня настоящего американского пролетариата. У донецких шахтёров тоже есть песня про "коногона". Совершенно другие слова, но смысл удивительно схожий.
not always the inventor is the winner. but this is awesome. you feel that this dude's way more connected to the story he wrote - there are over 200 versions of this song I believe. the latest to blow up again is probably the one by Tennessee Ernie Ford because he was hyped in the latest South Park episodes. this song is immortal now.
Now I know where "I owe my soul to the company store" comes from. I found my way here while reading about electric guitar pioneers of all things. A very talented gentleman. 🎸
Loved this song since I first heard it in the 50s. I've heard many covers, none come close to Merle Travis original, and few retain original chords. Thank you for posting this.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the miners and their families who passed at the Upper Big Branch in Raleigh County, West Virginia keep these families in your prayers
I first heard this song as a live recording from a pretty talented group of street performers, and I'm kind of amazed at how much it has been adapted by different artists. The 16 tons my dad remembers, the 16 tons i heard, and the 16 tons in this video are almost completely different songs, but the soul of the song remains the same. I find that incredible.
And what would Rock Guitarists have done if Merle had not invented "Travis Picking". Until then there were only two ways to play guitar: Chord strumming and single-note Melody. You needed one of each. Merle started down the road of playing melody, rhythm, and bass simultaneously. Without him, we might all still be playing in something like a minstrel band.
Well he might be a part in it but I reckon Beethoven is the father of Heavy Metal. Listen to the forth movement of the 6th Symphony. Remember this was composed in ~1802-1808 and is unamplified. The sound when performed today - also unamplified, is very loud. Here you go: ruclips.net/video/aRwMxCuagYg/видео.html Gustav Holst around the beginning of the 20th Century wrote the Planets. The movement Mars the Bringer of War has themes of Heavy Metal also: ruclips.net/video/YI1-9pD7RCI/видео.html It was inevitable that the guitar expanded upon themes already in the collective unconscious, esp when combined with the electric guitar, overdriven tube amplification and Blues music. That's how I see the advent of Heavy Metal in the 60s and early 70s. Heavy Metal from that era is generally accepted as being conventional Blues based. I think it was after about 1975 that Heavy Metal changed to 'real' Heavy Metal and that a reclassification of the earlier Heavy Metal became Hard Rock. Just my 2c. Like you I'm fascinated by it.
Don't let them get to you! Merle Travis was one of the greatest musicians and he has inspired a lot of people to play the guitar and sing. I am one of them and I am grateful for that.
I know it's the original but I feel like this is my favorite, it's just got that soul to it, that chord on the guitar at :55 is also so perfect, such a dark sound to it.
Some people say a man is made out of mud But a poor man's made out of muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones With a mind that's weak and a back that's strong You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 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 well 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 bless my soul" He loaded sixteen tons and 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 Well I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain Fightin' and trouble is my middle name Raised in the cane-brake by an old mama lion Ain't no high-tone woman make me walk the line You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 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 Well if you see me comin', you'd better step aside A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died One fist of iron, and the other one of steel If the right one don't get ya, then the left one will You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 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
ah thanks, my dad introduced me to Merle travis, I guess nowadays not many people would know that most electric guitars owe their thanks to Merle Travis' input to the design. Also that both blue grass/country legends Doc Watson and Chet Atkins named their children after this man.
1. Beautiful song, he has a great voice and excellent guitar skills. 2. I do have to weep for how out of touch most of the people in the south and midwest have become with the message of the song.
1) Here's my family lore that I've been hearing since before I can remember. My father and his older brother (my uncle), both in their 70s, swore to this story just today when I pressed them to tell me if it was true or not. My grandfather lived and worked in the coalmines of Kentucky and raised his family there. According to my father, grandpa worked with the man who wrote "Sixteen Tons". As I said, I've heard that 100 times since I was little kid, but what they said today...
I was told by family that this song was written on the back porch of my family there in Muhlenberg County Kentucky they were all Coal Minners. And musicians. They said that Merle Travis wasn't blood related. But was thought of as family and was often at there family get togethers.
My childhood memory of this song is my mother, devout Catholic that she was, cautioning us that "you can't owe your soul to the company store." Not a word about the economic conditions in mining that gave rise to that metaphor.
I met Mr. Travis, and his wife, Betty, in Saigon in 1967 just before I came back to the states. The only thing I had for him (and his wife) to sign were my orders. It caused quite a stir when I checked into my next command. They didn't like "some civilian's name' on them. Yup, that's what the Chief said. I learned this song when I was in 4th grade (1956).
The greatest. Forget song writing, he was the Babe Ruth of the guitar. Played base and lead without down tuning AND rolled with two fingers. I'd like to say impossible, but I've seen him play.
@@somewherebeyondthegreatbey4731 Is it in the game also, because I don't remember and I got it from the tv show, and soundhound identified it as Merle (though the studio version). Great song regardless, had to look it up.
that's from the "coat tail" effect as business would name it.... companies are nearly forced to pay better wages, benefits, etc. to try to encourage workforces to NOT organize...however, NEVER forget WHY you are making what you're making, and most certainly never forget those that paid the ultimate price so that you can "always make a good living"!
How do you think I feel...my grandpa just passed away in 2016 and his favorite singer was merle Travis. I really thought Tennessee Ernie Ford wrote this song but it makes sense because back then people would cover each other's songs out of respect for each other....
The original version was recorded in 1946 by Merle Travis. Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded it in 1955. Cause many believe that the original is by Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Far and away the best version of this song was done by Merle on what I believe was his first recording of it. A while later it was re-released on an L P entitled "Back Home." This cut was free of being influenced by the pop hit and was pure Merle at his best; it blows away anything Tennessee Ernie Ford ever did.
4 ...Heaven knows, those poor guys started young and had to work themselves to death just to get by. My grandpa died shortly after I was born some 40 years ago from a respiratory (Black lung?) disease. As a side note, when I was a little kid, I sat in their version of the "peanut gallery" on the kids program, "The Major Mudd Show." When they asked for a volunteer to sing a song on the show, I jumped up and sang "Sixteen Tons," thus keeping this song alive in the lore of my family. :-)
To those discussing who wrote the song: you think George Davis wrote it? you're right! wait, you others think Merle has a claim to it? you're right! He put together this composition of the song, he's the composer, as the person introduces him says.
Really? the story Merle tells, is that it was written by his brother in a series of letters to him, while they were both trying to be service members(Merle got a discharge for god knows what, if you know id love to hear), and they were sending each other letters about the the pay. there used to be a VHS you could buy with a interview with Merle from I want to say 1980(?), he smokes a pipe and explains most of his songs. he could have been lying I guess, Merle was braggadocios.
Johnny Cash’s version is too Blue. Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version is as “Blue” as this version to me. I think Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version is better for me, this is pretty good though.
![Tee Grizzley - Detroit (Feat. 42 Dugg) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/aeKfTtt0x14/mqdefault.jpg)
Dark tune about dark times. Legendary. My old man grew up in 20's and 30's in coal mine town in western KY. Dirt poor, barely subsistence living and it is true you were in debt to coal company with no way out. Black lung, mine accidents and violence between men was very common. My dad witnessed two murders - one including friends - and knew of a few others - all in a small town. This tune is viewed as an old time quaint country tune, but it subject is pretty grim. With WWII, my dad escaped.
THANKS FOR SHARING....
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My grandfather died at 52 from black lung. Boone county West Virginia.
The mercury from the coal causes agitation. The coal power plant near me is called the sacrifice zone. the highest breast cancer rate in the country.
I love this story about your dad. It makes me happy to know he left that lifestyle because if WWII. Its a good thing to know that one can leave and start a new lifestyle 0:13 , isen't it. I have a problem with being in debt im working on it. Im fournate to not be additicted. I was to cigarretts. and left that . Were men, strong enough to change for the better,
I have always liked this song done by Tennessee Ernie Ford. BUT! To hear and see the author of this song singing it is a real treat! Very good video. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Merle is on record saying that he used to hate Tennessee Ernie doing this song, until they suddenly started selling. After several years, Ernie 's version broke out, to the tune of 4 million copies, and then everyone had to cover it, and Merle says he suddenly became a great friend of Tennessee Ernie Ford.
Love the songwriter for writing and Tennessee Ernie Ford for making it famous. Great song.
I've also heard him use the last line of the song to say I owe my soul to Tennessee Ernie Ford
PickerDad As the writer of the tune, Merle got a nice royalty check out of that deal, I think that's how it works anyway. Go salute the mailbox every month. Somebody once asked Don McLean "what does the song 'Miss American Pie' really mean?"
He replied "It means I never have to work again if I don't want to."
@@discgolfjockey1
He ended it that way on his last concert tour. I saw him in Mesa, AZ, in a bar called "The Cave".
As a child, this was the first song that I ever memorized. It was the Tennessee Ernie Ford version. It is really nice to hear it in its original version. So nice.
I thought Paul Robeson was first. Here is the correct chronology from ChatGPT:
Merle Travis wrote and first recorded "Sixteen Tons" in 1946. His version was the first official recording of the song.
Paul Robeson then also recorded the song in 1947. Robeson's version was less well known but still significant, especially given his status as a prominent artist and activist.
Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded his famous version in 1955, which became a massive hit and achieved great commercial success.
So, Merle Travis was the first to record the song, followed by Paul Robeson and later Tennessee Ernie Ford.
LOVE THIS! Years ago, I was in the Army deployed to Hungary. We were restricted to base except for one restaurant off post that my buddy Jeremy and I got a gig to play. It was my first sort-of paying gig...goulash, bread, and a coke from the owner. We thought we were going to play for 20 minutes, tops. Turned out we were there for the next five hours. We started off well, but my voice started to give out, and we were getting tired, messing up some songs badly, and were ready to leave about 10:30 with our tails between our legs. Part of our problem was we had no idea what they wanted to hear. We were getting ready to pack up and leave when a man walked up from the other end of the restaurant with a yellowed piece of paper with this scribbled on it: "16 Tonnes." I had the song in a cheat book, and another friend of ours who was there sat in and played guitar (he was far better than me) and my buddy played harmonica while I did my best Tennessee Ernie Ford imitation. We absolutely killed, huge applause. After that we could do no wrong. We played like pros, voices were perfect, everything just clicked. Turned out the man and his family were sitting in the back room listening to us the whole night. The grand dame of the family came up and just bragged on us effusively, and the best we could translate she compared me to a matador. I think that was good. The man came back up and said he wanted to introduce me to his sister. I didn't see that going well, and we were already past the curfew so we got ready to make our escape. As we walked out, the man introduced the girl. She was about 19, and one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen (I was still in my 20s at the time). They wanted us to go to another party, but Jeremy was practically dragging me away then. "On no, Paul, we have to go, remember?" Anyway, I will never forget that night, and I still have that piece of paper 22 years later.
What a story, man. Thanks so much for sharing!
@Russell Allen huh?
What a story! I'm form Hungary and I'm happy to read that you entertained some Hungarians and enjoyed yourself very much! :D
Your story is about as good as the song. My mama used to sing this when I was young ! thx for sharing
Great story. As good as the song. My mama sang this to us when we were little. Though I wonder is she remembers. Thks for sharing
Why can't country be like this today!? This is awesome!
Because in the West, we don't break your back anymore. Real country you find in the mines of Africa, but it is not the sound you're searching for
Because the audience for this type of music are all dead lmao
@@andym7165I had a nice time with your mother last night, what a slut
@@andym7165it used to be called Country Western, then the “western” was dropped and the music changed. Taylor Swift started in Country but I knew right away it wasn’t for her - can’t stand her singing anyway!!! There used to be a show in a cable channel TNN many years ago - had some great shows thst featured many of the C/W stars in a very cool show - like a bunch of people singing and talking!
A story song and you can actually understand every word. The version by Tennessee Ernie Ford was the very first song I memorized entirely at the age of about 3 or so. Many years later, I discovered the composer's version. Kudos to Merle Travis for writing a classic that will survive the ages.
Jim Croce could also tell a good story.
Merle was always a brilliant songwriter. This is one of my favorites. I heard it was given to Ernie Ford by accident. Of course with his amazing voice he "owned" it for the rest of time.
It's pretty awesome that footage like this still exist. For us old souls that wonder what it was like back then. We can get a little glimpse.
Surprise! Music Videos actually started in the late 40s. Somebody figured out how to play a movie on a little screen attached to the Juke Box. 5 cents to hear a record, 10 cents to see it. It was a Hollywood company of course, and tMerle Travis was one of the biggest musicians living in Hollywood. He banged off a whole series of these mini-films for the juke box, and so we still have them to enjoy. You're right, it's like a time capsule.
@@pickerdad8402
There are some good YT videos of Willie Nelson on television back in the day - probably not like Merle Travis's music vids, but very entertaining as well.
This is from the TV show Town Hall Party hosted by Tex Ritter.
Настоящая песня настоящего американского пролетариата.
У донецких шахтёров тоже есть песня про "коногона". Совершенно другие слова, но смысл удивительно схожий.
not always the inventor is the winner. but this is awesome. you feel that this dude's way more connected to the story he wrote - there are over 200 versions of this song I believe. the latest to blow up again is probably the one by Tennessee Ernie Ford because he was hyped in the latest South Park episodes. this song is immortal now.
My grandfather used to sing this to me as a young boy. He always sang it low and slow. I had no idea how fast paced it was and how jazzy it sounded.
Now I know where "I owe my soul to the company store" comes from. I found my way here while reading about electric guitar pioneers of all things. A very talented gentleman. 🎸
This song always plays in my mind whenever I go to my temporary employment job at a packaging warehouse. Really stands the test of time.
Surely one of the greatest songs ever written.
I can not believe I found the original version, you are a legend my friend
Merle Proclaimed on his last Album he did with this song on it " I OWE MY SOUL TO TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD" in the last line of the song
Listen to "ye ladki bheegi bhaagi si" by Kishore Kumar....
It is a tribute to this
That's not exact copy but certainly used it to create that one...no matter what bheegi bhagi si still worth vibing to ☺️
Most probably Kishore Kumar and S. D. Burman took the inspiration from Ford's version.
I tried to copy/paste, but Google came up empty. Too bad, I'm curious.
@@koretmulder6316 ruclips.net/video/mxYNdy-0CEs/видео.html
So glad I saw it. Love the jazzy flourishes. Making it look easy is the sign of a great performer.
today my history's teacher played this song in the class....it was fantastic...this song is beautiful!!
Both my grandfather's worked in coal Mines on cape breton Island. Miles out underneath the sea. This song sends chills down my spine
Weird to think that Merle Travis is only 29 years old in this film but looks like a nowadays average guy in his sixties.
God, I worked in automotive for a year and I cry while I listen to this.
Loved this song since I first heard it in the 50s. I've heard many covers, none come close to Merle Travis original, and few retain original chords. Thank you for posting this.
The real class !!!!! nothing else ......perfect and the soul and heart !!! class realy !!!
Eric from France
This is absolutely fabulous.
This specific recording of this song is the best hand down
My thoughts and prayers go out to the miners and their families who passed at the Upper Big Branch in Raleigh County, West Virginia
keep these families in your prayers
I first heard this song as a live recording from a pretty talented group of street performers, and I'm kind of amazed at how much it has been adapted by different artists. The 16 tons my dad remembers, the 16 tons i heard, and the 16 tons in this video are almost completely different songs, but the soul of the song remains the same. I find that incredible.
Me encantan las canciones campiranas ❤😍
Thank you, Merle Travis, for writing this song, and thank you, Tennessee Ernie Ford, for increasing its popularity.
I understand what you're saying, but there's a large supply of good country music made decades ago to still allow someone today to be a country fan.
I just found the grandfather of heavy metal. Respect for him.
And what would Rock Guitarists have done if Merle had not invented "Travis Picking". Until then there were only two ways to play guitar: Chord strumming and single-note Melody. You needed one of each. Merle started down the road of playing melody, rhythm, and bass simultaneously. Without him, we might all still be playing in something like a minstrel band.
Well he might be a part in it but I reckon Beethoven is the father of Heavy Metal.
Listen to the forth movement of the 6th Symphony. Remember this was composed in ~1802-1808 and is unamplified. The sound when performed today - also unamplified, is very loud.
Here you go:
ruclips.net/video/aRwMxCuagYg/видео.html
Gustav Holst around the beginning of the 20th Century wrote the Planets. The movement Mars the Bringer of War has themes of Heavy Metal also:
ruclips.net/video/YI1-9pD7RCI/видео.html
It was inevitable that the guitar expanded upon themes already in the collective unconscious, esp when combined with the electric guitar, overdriven tube amplification and Blues music.
That's how I see the advent of Heavy Metal in the 60s and early 70s. Heavy Metal from that era is generally accepted as being conventional Blues based.
I think it was after about 1975 that Heavy Metal changed to 'real' Heavy Metal and that a reclassification of the earlier Heavy Metal became Hard Rock.
Just my 2c.
Like you I'm fascinated by it.
This is older than me I love this song ❤️ the deep meaning and the rhythm touches my soul
Watching from Brazil. Worderful. I love this old songs!
That chord he plays right after "16 tons" really scratches that itch.
Don't let them get to you! Merle Travis was one of the greatest musicians and he has inspired a lot of people to play the guitar and sing. I am one of them and I am grateful for that.
Fallout is bringing back these bangers !
more relevant than any song created in the last fifty years
I listened this song because it is in our syllabus of college. But This song is actually good.
legend....
Interesting story, thank you for sharing!
I know it's the original but I feel like this is my favorite, it's just got that soul to it, that chord on the guitar at :55 is also so perfect, such a dark sound to it.
Oh dude this was amazing. Merle is a treasure!
I don't normally listen to this kinda music much but this song is awesome.
Google "Merle Travis". you'll find a lot more like it.
The absolutely coolest version!
Great song. A working mans classic.
Great to watch him perform it. I like his and Ernie Fords version.
massive legend!!
Best version of this song !
Wow he was a very great guitar player. much love.
I didn't know Merle Travis wrote this song. Thanks for sharing!
Travis picking! Plus a great song writer, whoa!
Amazing song. Prefer the Tennessee Ernie cover of it, but it's always awesome to hear the original. Thanks for uploading this.
Some people say a man is made out of mud
But a poor man's made out of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
With a mind that's weak and a back that's strong
You load sixteen tons and what do you get?
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
well 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 bless my soul"
He loaded sixteen tons and 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
Well I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble is my middle name
Raised in the cane-brake by an old mama lion
Ain't no high-tone woman make me walk the line
You load sixteen tons and what do you get?
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
Well if you see me comin', you'd better step aside
A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died
One fist of iron, and the other one of steel
If the right one don't get ya, then the left one will
You load sixteen tons and what do you get?
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
Grew up with the T Ford version, which has become my staple to sing when I am shovelling show. Can't imagine shovelling coal for a living.
Nice to hear Merle's original version, even though I love Tennessee Ernie's version too.
ah thanks, my dad introduced me to Merle travis, I guess nowadays not many people would know that most electric guitars owe their thanks to Merle Travis' input to the design.
Also that both blue grass/country legends Doc Watson and Chet Atkins named their children after this man.
My first time hearing Merle Travis although I know his name! And seeing Tex Ritter!
1. Beautiful song, he has a great voice and excellent guitar skills.
2. I do have to weep for how out of touch most of the people in the south and midwest have become with the message of the song.
these songs are addictive
Legend.
Thanks for sharing!
country today would be unrecognizable to the artists of that era.
GOOOOD STUFF
ODE TO MERLE TRAVIS HE WAS THE BEST
Such a natural style on the guitar, like the instrument is a part of him
Amo dms esse tipo de música
1)
Here's my family lore that I've been hearing since before I can remember. My father and his older brother (my uncle), both in their 70s, swore to this story just today when I pressed them to tell me if it was true or not.
My grandfather lived and worked in the coalmines of Kentucky and raised his family there. According to my father, grandpa worked with the man who wrote "Sixteen Tons". As I said, I've heard that 100 times since I was little kid, but what they said today...
I was told by family that this song was written on the back porch of my family there in Muhlenberg County Kentucky they were all Coal Minners. And musicians. They said that Merle Travis wasn't blood related. But was thought of as family and was often at there family get togethers.
My childhood memory of this song is my mother, devout Catholic that she was, cautioning us that "you can't owe your soul to the company store." Not a word about the economic conditions in mining that gave rise to that metaphor.
I met Mr. Travis, and his wife, Betty, in Saigon in 1967 just before I came back to the states. The only thing I had for him (and his wife) to sign were my orders. It caused quite a stir when I checked into my next command. They didn't like "some civilian's name' on them. Yup, that's what the Chief said.
I learned this song when I was in 4th grade (1956).
This = great.
Bless their souls. The coal they mined produced the steel that built America.
The greatest. Forget song writing, he was the Babe Ruth of the guitar. Played base and lead without down tuning AND rolled with two fingers. I'd like to say impossible, but I've seen him play.
Thats my great great great uncle
I love this song
Nice. :]
Both the song and the fact that i can still see it. :]
No Fallout comment? Disappointed.
Because The Fallout Version Is Ernest Tubb. I Don't Think Fallouts Had a Merle Travis Song. Disappointing
@@somewherebeyondthegreatbey4731 Is it in the game also, because I don't remember and I got it from the tv show, and soundhound identified it as Merle (though the studio version). Great song regardless, had to look it up.
@@somewherebeyondthegreatbey4731 it was Ernest Ford in 76
@@Zendu9 that's what I Meant. Ernest tubb did Walking the Floor
Well there’s your fallout comment 😂
Truly immortal sixteen tons
i like the 60s country.
that's from the "coat tail" effect as business would name it....
companies are nearly forced to pay better wages, benefits, etc. to try to encourage workforces to NOT organize...however, NEVER forget WHY you are making what you're making, and most certainly never forget those that paid the ultimate price so that you can "always make a good living"!
I'm ashamed to say I didn't know this wasn't a Tennessee Ernie Ford original
How do you think I feel...my grandpa just passed away in 2016 and his favorite singer was merle Travis. I really thought Tennessee Ernie Ford wrote this song but it makes sense because back then people would cover each other's songs out of respect for each other....
Its a Mere Travis original. Made popular by Tennessee Ford. When it went to #1
total legend
yesssssssssssssss! Support labor, unions, BUY AMERICAN
The original version was recorded in 1946 by Merle Travis.
Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded it in 1955.
Cause many believe that the original is by Tennessee Ernie Ford.
GREAT ! THANX !
I would've liked to hear Django Rienhart play this.
Oh yeah!!
I came from johnny cash then tennessee ernie ford, and found the original 👍 pretty cool.
Far and away the best version of this song was done by Merle on what I believe was his first recording of it. A while later it was re-released on an L P entitled "Back Home." This cut was free of being influenced by the pop hit and was pure Merle at his best; it blows away anything Tennessee Ernie Ford ever did.
This is great!
Funnily enough an article about WVa & KY coalminers brought me here
esse e o famoso 16 toneladas
Grear Song. Still relevant today sadly. But maybe someday it won't!
7 years later only 411,388 views and 1000 likes... What brought me here was my men's choir is singing this song xD
I owe my soul to Amazon and the LandLord
Merle Travis was a genius no doubt about it
Brilliant song
4
...Heaven knows, those poor guys started young and had to work themselves to death just to get by. My grandpa died shortly after I was born some 40 years ago from a respiratory (Black lung?) disease.
As a side note, when I was a little kid, I sat in their version of the "peanut gallery" on the kids program, "The Major Mudd Show." When they asked for a volunteer to sing a song on the show, I jumped up and sang "Sixteen Tons," thus keeping this song alive in the lore of my family. :-)
To those discussing who wrote the song:
you think George Davis wrote it? you're right!
wait, you others think Merle has a claim to it? you're right! He put together this composition of the song, he's the composer, as the person introduces him says.
Really? the story Merle tells, is that it was written by his brother in a series of letters to him, while they were both trying to be service members(Merle got a discharge for god knows what, if you know id love to hear), and they were sending each other letters about the the pay. there used to be a VHS you could buy with a interview with Merle from I want to say 1980(?), he smokes a pipe and explains most of his songs. he could have been lying I guess, Merle was braggadocios.
Johnson Gottschalk ?
The Union is why there are very few 21st century coal mines still open
SOLI DEO GLORIA
(To The Glory Of God Alone)
Father, Son & Holy Spirit
-Ronnie
Is it just me, or does the Merle Travis version of this song have more of a blues tinge than Tennessee Ernie Ford’s?
Hello friend, how are you doing today.
Johnny Cash’s version is too Blue. Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version is as “Blue” as this version to me. I think Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version is better for me, this is pretty good though.