About the song
Sixteen Tons is a classic American folk song that has been a staple of popular music for generations. Its timeless lyrics, which delve into the harsh realities of labor and the relentless cycle of poverty, have resonated with audiences around the world. Originally written by Merle Travis in 1947, the song was popularized by Tennessee Ernie Ford in the 1950s. However, it was Johnny Cash’s iconic rendition in 1955 that truly cemented its place in music history.
Cash’s deep, resonant voice perfectly captured the song’s somber mood and the raw emotion of its lyrics. His performance was a powerful testament to the struggles faced by countless working-class Americans, and it struck a chord with listeners who could relate to the song’s themes of hardship and perseverance.
The song’s opening lines, “I’ve got a number, I’ve got a name, I’ve got a family, and I’ve got a claim,” immediately set the stage for a tale of a man trapped in a cycle of toil and debt. The image of a miner working tirelessly to pay off his debts, only to find himself right back where he started, is a powerful one that has resonated with audiences for decades.
The chorus, “Sixteen tons, what do we get? Another day older and a dollar less,” is a haunting refrain that captures the monotony and despair of the miner’s existence. The line “I’ve got a number, I’ve got a name” suggests a loss of individuality and a sense of being reduced to a mere cog in a machine.
Cash’s performance is not only powerful but also deeply empathetic. He conveys a sense of genuine compassion for the miner’s plight, and his voice is filled with a raw emotion that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The song’s message is universal, and it continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.
Sixteen Tons is more than just a song; it is a cultural touchstone that has helped to shape the American identity. It is a reminder of the struggles faced by countless working-class Americans, and it is a testament to the power of music to give voice to the voiceless. Whether you are a fan of country music or simply appreciate timeless songwriting, Sixteen Tons is a song that deserves a place in your music collection.
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Lyrics
Some people say a man is made out of mud
A poor man’s made out of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that’s weak and a back that’s strong
You load 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
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, 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
I was born one mornin’, it was drizzlin’ rain
Fightin’ and trouble are my middle name
Raised in the Canebrake by an old mama lion
Ain’t no a high-toned woman make me walk the line
You load 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
If you see me comin’, better step aside
A lot of men didn’t, and a lot of men died
With one fist of iron, and the other of steel
If the right one don’t get you then the left one will
You load 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