Surely one of the finest male voices in the history of recorded music. There are a few that could claim the title - Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Marty Robbins - but Ernie Ford is right up there.
Thomas L. Thomas, Nelson Eddy, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Roselli, Jussi Bjorling, John McCormack, Fritz Wunderlich, Sergei Lemeshev, Mattia Battistini, Titta Ruffo, Riccardo Stracciari, Lawrence Tibbett, Eddie Fisher, Mickey Newbury, Oscar Natzka, Norman Treigle, Alexander Pirogov, Juste Nivette...
I grew up listening to my father sing 16 tons, I didn’t remember until the day We celebrated his life. My brother sang it and and all the memories came flooding back.
@@cherylann9781 More than ever, my father was trained in classical music, opera and had a deep baritone voice! I never knew. He never let us in. All though today is Tennessee Ernie Fords birthday I celebrate my pop’s birthday. 02-08-1937
*This man has the most amazing vocals!* We just moved to TN from CT. Never heard of him even though I'm in my 60s. Popped up on my feed the other day and I've been down a rabbit hole ever since! His vocals are so soothing to me.
I ran across Tennessee ERNIE FORD and wept. All of a sudden Iwas a little gril with my mother watching TV listening to this beautiful voice. Every thing from country ballads to a hymn to close the show. I never knew how much I missed his very beautiful voice as I'm sure that alot of us feel that way .
Not only in America friend. These great voices are appreciated in many other places, i live in Sweden and this is part of my musical memories too, of which i am grateful.@Jack Petry: agree on Paul Robeson and others, but i have a theory of our history (or maybe our knowledge) being stretched out at both ends like like a rubberband, we know more about todays world (and maybe even tomorrows) and at the same time we also learn more (and share) about the past. RUclips and this conversation is a fine example :) Anyway love the Gentleman From Tennessee. Skål!
Ford's SERIOUS singing voice, the one we hear on this clip (as opposed to the "hicked-up" version we sometimes hear on his lighter fare such as in "Shotgum Boogie") ,was one of the best singing voices of the 20th century.
Watching Johnny Cash vids brought me here. I've always heard the name Tennessee Ernie Ford since I was a kid but I never heard him sing until now. Damn he has a GREAT voice! I'm going to look for more of his singing.
We had 2 channels on our TV. I remember getting our 1st TV. Back in this golden days songs were about the working man and his family. Kids picked up empty soda bottles to go to the fair. Two cents a bottle. Was hard to find as people didn't litter like they do today. Some of the best days of my life.
Timliu92 Ford was a Proper Bass Singer not just Bass baritone.I've got records where he gets down to B1 and one where He hits multiple EB2 like it's nothing.
I love this song so much! My dad used to love him when he was a little boy. He showed him to me and I loved him the moment I heard him! He was amazing! We NEED more singers like him! But of course today's people would not appreciate them like we did back in the old days...
I was in the second grade in 1967 in Detroit. The teacher (Mrs. Jo) said: "Bring your favorite record to school." I brought Surfin' Bird. She played it. The class started dancing around the room and on their desks! Just like Charlie Brown Christmas! Teacher took the needle off the record. That's life, I guess...
my grandpa was named john henry, not giving ya my last name. worked for 35 days and only missed a handful of days of work. respectable ethic, but man he never got to actually live. work work work greatest generation was built different
When John Henry was a little baby No bigger than the palm of your hand His mommy looked down at little Johnny and said "My Johnny gonna be a steel drivin' man" Yes, Johnny gonna be a steel drivin' man John Henry was a steel drivin' man Drove steel all over the land "Before I let the steam hammer get me down I'm a-gonna die with my hammer in my hand" Die with my hammer in my hand John Henry went to the tunnel to drive Steam hammer by his side He beat the steam hammer to the top of the hill He laid down his hammer and he cried, "Lord!" Laid down his hammer and he cried John Henry had a lovin' little wife Her name was Polly Ann Johnny got sick and he had to go to bed Polly drove steel like a man Yes, Polly drove steel like a man They buried John Henry in the graveyard They laid him down in the sand Every time a freight train come puffin' by They say, "Yonder lies a steel drivin' man" Yonder lies a steel drivin' man
Outstanding voice I always love to listen to him sing. My singing voice is the same -- it is deep as his was, but I always have trouble as most songs are not that easy to sing with a deep voice. But, he always did an amazing job when he did.
There are a lot of different versions of this song. My mother use to play this song on a phonograph record when I was just a little kid. It better described John Henry in competition with this steam hammer which killed him after he beat the machine. It was one of my favorite songs.
Even in 2016 there is still such a thing as the pride of the American working class. I'm a liberal democrat in the United States that doesn't mind being "blue collar" as long as we can get a decent living for our family.
First of all, I believe you're talking about two different songs. This TEF song is The Ballad of John Henry while the Johnny Cash song to which you apparently refer is The Legend of John Henry's Hammer. Not the same song at all. And second of all, this TEF version is from 1961, about two years BEFORE Johnny Cash released his recording of Hammer.
I wrote a kindle book about this true American tall tale here; www.amazon.com/dp/B01GBV3UXU His story was an oral tradition in my family down home in WV. & TN Ernie too!
Surely one of the finest male voices in the history of recorded music. There are a few that could claim the title - Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Marty Robbins - but Ernie Ford is right up there.
i think alot of the crooners are up there too, but yeah, youre right
I'd give it to Elvis only because during his career he had about 4 different amazing voices. Ernie Ford is exceptional though.
Thomas L. Thomas, Nelson Eddy, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Roselli, Jussi Bjorling, John McCormack, Fritz Wunderlich, Sergei Lemeshev, Mattia Battistini, Titta Ruffo, Riccardo Stracciari, Lawrence Tibbett, Eddie Fisher, Mickey Newbury, Oscar Natzka, Norman Treigle, Alexander Pirogov, Juste Nivette...
You should be ashamed to put Elvis next to those men, he barely innovated music comparatively to these. Replace this list with hank Williams senior
Elvis and the rest couldn’t hold TEF’s shorts
Good lord that man could sing. Love that voice.
Chevy7ky Yes, he could. My mom loved him. I grew listening to my mom's Gospel Albums by Mr. Ford. Better than going to church.
I grew up listening to my father sing 16 tons, I didn’t remember until the day We celebrated his life. My brother sang it and and all the memories came flooding back.
@@joeplante136 😢 I’m sorry for your loss. I hope the flood of memories from the song was sweet to you though.
@@cherylann9781 More than ever, my father was trained in classical music, opera and had a deep baritone voice! I never knew. He never let us in. All though today is Tennessee Ernie Fords birthday I celebrate my pop’s birthday. 02-08-1937
I have same voice and it makes me smile !
One of the 20th century's best voices; gorgeous, and like a river of warm caramel and hot fudge. Makes a person want to purr, just listening to it.
Fantastic description. Thank you for sharing.
Exactly how he makes me feel when listening to him!
*This man has the most amazing vocals!* We just moved to TN from CT. Never heard of him even though I'm in my 60s. Popped up on my feed the other day and I've been down a rabbit hole ever since! His vocals are so soothing to me.
If any man was born to sing gospel music, TEF is #1 for me.
sorry in what world is this gospel?
John henry is from the US.
Tennessee Ernie Ford and Jimmy Dean... there's never been anybody like them since.
My daddy had a deep, mellow voice. I'm reminded of him everytime I hear songs like this by such men as T.E.F.
Thanks for the memories.
I ran across Tennessee ERNIE FORD and wept. All of a sudden Iwas a little gril with my mother watching TV listening to this beautiful voice. Every thing from country ballads to a hymn to close the show. I never knew how much I missed his very beautiful voice as I'm sure that alot of us feel that way .
I miss the America that loved Tennessee Ernie Ford.
I wish America still knew who he was. But all lights fade I suppose. Same with Paul Robeson and even most of the Rat Pack.
There will always people who appreciate a great singing voice, so there will always be people who appreciate the great voice of TE Ford.
Not only in America friend. These great voices are appreciated in many other places, i live in Sweden and this is part of my musical memories too, of which i am grateful.@Jack Petry: agree on Paul Robeson and others, but i have a theory of our history (or maybe our knowledge) being stretched out at both ends like like a rubberband, we know more about todays world (and maybe even tomorrows) and at the same time we also learn more (and share) about the past. RUclips and this conversation is a fine example :) Anyway love the Gentleman From Tennessee. Skål!
@Jo Fleming Was your mom in love with him too? Mine was.
A voice like no other.
What a spectacular voice
Ford's SERIOUS singing voice, the one we hear on this clip (as opposed to the "hicked-up" version we sometimes hear on his lighter fare such as in "Shotgum Boogie") ,was one of the best singing voices of the 20th century.
Everyone is talking about Ford's vocals, I'm just a bit sad that John Henry's story has been forgotten by a great many Americans.
Not this one I'll play this and clear have some people listen to fine music.
Truly a fine baritone…
My professor in my music class showed me this!
I love this guys voice, and funky lyrics.
This came from the Tennessee Ernie Ford Show. One of the very early TV variety shows. Remember it well from when I was a kid.
This is actually from his appearance on The Jack Benny Show. I just saw it in rerun the other night.
my grandmother loved Ernie Ford so dearly. He had a wonderful voice!!!
what a great day I had with this old music I grew up with.
Watching Johnny Cash vids brought me here.
I've always heard the name Tennessee Ernie Ford since I was a kid but I never heard him sing until now. Damn he has a GREAT voice!
I'm going to look for more of his singing.
Oh my goodness that was awesome
We watched the Tennessee Ernie Ford Show all the years it was on, when I was a kid. We all loved it.
We had 2 channels on our TV. I remember getting our 1st TV. Back in this golden days songs were about the working man and his family. Kids picked up empty soda bottles to go to the fair. Two cents a bottle. Was hard to find as people didn't litter like they do today. Some of the best days of my life.
Makes me miss my late dad so much.
This episode came on TV the other day...I really like this version of this song! thanks!
One of the finest Christian men who ever lived. The finest male voice who ever lived.
Our family had several of Tennessee Ernie Ford's beautiful gospel albums. He had the perfect voice for that type of music.
Talent like Col Ford no longer exists. I remember him in the 50's as a child
One of my favorite all my life,now i am 66, old, but still working class, mama greets you!!❤❤
Singing deep stories yet brings a sweet smile 💙💚💛🖤💖
Tennessee Ernie Ford used his great voice to entertain not to bore
So much of that song is simply his great voice
I am not into this man's music, but that bass-baritone voice - what a singer! :)
Timliu92 Ford was a Proper Bass Singer not just Bass baritone.I've got records where he gets down to B1 and one where He hits multiple EB2 like it's nothing.
hes got a wonderful voice
Awesome song love the classics
Woke up with this song in my head...cant beat Tennessees version...! :)
I love this song so much! My dad used to love him when he was a little boy. He showed him to me and I loved him the moment I heard him! He was amazing! We NEED more singers like him! But of course today's people would not appreciate them like we did back in the old days...
i can sing like that
Good for u!! I know I can't lol
I was in the second grade in 1967 in Detroit. The teacher (Mrs. Jo) said: "Bring your favorite record to school." I brought Surfin' Bird. She played it. The class started dancing around the room and on their desks! Just like Charlie Brown Christmas! Teacher took the needle off the record. That's life, I guess...
Wow, what a voice, I miss the old fashion singers. They sang to all of us.
my grandpa was named john henry, not giving ya my last name. worked for 35 days and only missed a handful of days of work. respectable ethic, but man he never got to actually live. work work work
greatest generation was built different
Bro worked for a month
Amazing mass of talent!!!! Love it! TY!
When John Henry was a little baby
No bigger than the palm of your hand
His mommy looked down at little Johnny and said
"My Johnny gonna be a steel drivin' man"
Yes, Johnny gonna be a steel drivin' man
John Henry was a steel drivin' man
Drove steel all over the land
"Before I let the steam hammer get me down
I'm a-gonna die with my hammer in my hand"
Die with my hammer in my hand
John Henry went to the tunnel to drive
Steam hammer by his side
He beat the steam hammer to the top of the hill
He laid down his hammer and he cried, "Lord!"
Laid down his hammer and he cried
John Henry had a lovin' little wife
Her name was Polly Ann
Johnny got sick and he had to go to bed
Polly drove steel like a man
Yes, Polly drove steel like a man
They buried John Henry in the graveyard
They laid him down in the sand
Every time a freight train come puffin' by
They say, "Yonder lies a steel drivin' man"
Yonder lies a steel drivin' man
+yoosef p he skipped a couple verses.
Just beautiful
Outstanding voice I always love to listen to him sing. My singing voice is the same -- it is deep as his was, but I always have trouble as most songs are not that easy to sing with a deep voice. But, he always did an amazing job when he did.
We need more men and women like John Henry today.
Dying in pointless bouts to superior technology.
Josh Lewis -I think he's referencing his work ethic!
The greatest white Gospel singer ever. See "When they Ring Those Golden Bells."
Elvis
Then Ernie
With all due respect to Ol' Rockin Ern
Yep Ernie had a beautiful voice but ya gotta admit Elvis weren't no slouch when it came to singing gospel songs either...
One of my favorites... steel driving man... real men 💕🎶🎵🎼
what an amazing song
What blows my mind is not the quality of this song, but the quality of the video? WTF .... so we've had HD since the 50's?
+lulem400 Properly stored film is the ultimate HD.
+lulem400 only in black and white!
+lulem400 too bad about the desync
+lulem400 it's real film young brother
HD came about due to denigrated imagery in early digital,it is not automatically higher end than film
siemon j. franken That's interesting.
what a manly voice hes coooooooooooooolll
A beautiful song! Has anyone found the written lyrics of this version? If so, may he/she tell me where I could find it, please?
love it oh yea!!!
Wow! PERFECT!
Love this!
What a great baritone.
Bass. Come on.
@@emailvonsour Bass-baritone fits him the best 😁
Wunderbar. Sehr schön.
Love, love, love!!!
I love it
This aired on Jack Benny's program in November 1961, shortly after Ernie ended his own "FORD SHOW".
great voice
A steel driving "singer" fantastic voice.
Love it
Love me Eirne Ford!!!
I just saw this on Jack Benny last night.
He has such amazing control of his voice its almost unreal
I misread the title and thought this was "John Hardy" famously sung by Mannfred Mann and Leadbelly. This song is great too!
Film not video .. probably transferred to a video .. love his voice
Wow good singing
YEE HAW!!! GO FORD GO
Excellent performance
The greatest
Phantastisch 👍🏻 ♥️
Remember Mr. Ford appearing on "The Lucy Show"?...
Why can't we have this kind of music today?
There are a lot of different versions of this song. My mother use to play this song on a phonograph record when I was just a little kid. It better described John Henry in competition with this steam hammer which killed him after he beat the machine. It was one of my favorite songs.
He died of silicosis.
We need more Tennessee Ernie Fords and fewer Justin Biebers
Wow!
TEF, the best of the best.
This video makes want to sleep! But in a good way.
natural talent, don't need loud music to drowned out his singing.
God, I'd give my left arm to have a voice like his.
He layed down his hammer and he cried “I’m gonna get me one of those steam drills.”
16 tons is a good song too that he sings. This comment was written by Gary
Respectfully
yonder lies a steel drivin man
Even in 2016 there is still such a thing as the pride of the American working class. I'm a liberal democrat in the United States that doesn't mind being "blue collar" as long as we can get a decent living for our family.
Contakum and I dont mind being a tennessee volunteer
berle ives does this well too
What type of working man is in the democratic party?
Contakum “I’m a liberal democrat”
I’m so sorry. Is it terminal? How long do you have left?
When I learned this song in elementary school I remember the line as "laid down his hammer and died" not "cried".
good one
Like a John Wayne movie, this is a classic song one simply does not do again... not after the extremely wonderful version by Johnny Cash.
First of all, I believe you're talking about two different songs. This TEF song is The Ballad of John Henry while the Johnny Cash song to which you apparently refer is The Legend of John Henry's Hammer. Not the same song at all. And second of all, this TEF version is from 1961, about two years BEFORE Johnny Cash released his recording of Hammer.
This was from the Jack Benny Program . Low it!
Bob B, I just watched this Jack Benny episode. I was laughing so hard I was crying.
@sargedirt
Rich voice.
It's not complicated!
When this film made?
Some time in the late 50s maybe?
@@doubleuplsst3149 thank you.
Great song 🎵 by Tennessee ernie ford
When I hear this song I think of the monk episode lol
yup im right it was played by the London symphony orchestra
you guys know if you slow down the instrumental this is the opening song for the movie He got game. i think....? lol
When John Henry was a little baby, sittin' on his daddy's knee, he picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel and said googoogaga
what year?
I wrote a kindle book about this true American tall tale here; www.amazon.com/dp/B01GBV3UXU His story was an oral tradition in my family down home in WV. & TN Ernie too!
Lip sysinc is off . one of the most beautiful voices of any era