About the song
“Sixteen Tons” by Johnny Cash is a gritty and soulful rendition of the classic coal mining song that captures the hardships and struggles of working-class life. Originally written by Merle Travis in 1947, the song was first recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1955. Cash’s version appears on his album *Johnny Cash Sings the Ballads of the True West*, released in 1965, which features a collection of songs inspired by the American frontier.
In “Sixteen Tons,” Cash’s deep, resonant voice lends a sense of authenticity and gravitas to the lyrics, which speak of the backbreaking labor and meager wages endured by coal miners. The song’s iconic refrain, “You load sixteen tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt,” resonates with listeners who can relate to the struggles of providing for their families in the face of economic hardship.
While Cash’s version of “Sixteen Tons” did not chart as a single, it received critical acclaim and became a staple in his repertoire of songs about the working class and the American experience. The album itself reached number 13 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, reflecting Cash’s enduring popularity and influence in the music world.
“Sixteen Tons” remains a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of working-class people, and Cash’s interpretation adds a layer of emotional depth and authenticity to the song. His ability to convey the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people through music is a testament to his talent as a storyteller and his connection to the human experience.
For fans of Johnny Cash and classic Americana, “Sixteen Tons” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Its themes of hard work, sacrifice, and the pursuit of a better life are as relevant today as they were when the song was first written, making it a fitting tribute to the indomitable spirit of the American worker.
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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