Tennessee Ernie Ford - 16 Tons

I do not own the rights to this recording. It is intended for promotional purposes only.

[bcfromse]

I work at Amazon and this song was played today on the speakers and I just know the person that put this in the playlist saw the South Park episode about Amazon and was trolling

[RipScissor]

"I can't go to hell. I'm all out of vacation days."

[michaelclemons]

Him owing his soul to the company store, is actual history. The coal miners had a running tab at the company store. When he was paid, first thing that came out was what he owed the company store. The companies had a monopoly on everything, the coal miners roof over their heads and the food on their tables came from the company. He worked to survive and got up the next morning and did it all over again. There's alot of history there.

[justinharrell]

"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." The most badass lyric ever written.

[kellison]

My father was born in 1912 in Key Rock, Wyoming County, WV, in the heart of coal mining country. My father is long gone and I am now 70 years old. I recall my father liking this song when I was a young.boy. I just got back from a trip to visit my father's old haunts to try to get a feel for what it was like where he spent his youth. Honestly, it was the most depressing place I've ever been, despite all the natural beauty that characterizes this area. Deserted homes and towns, and most of those that remain live in abject poverty. This song helps me better understand what life was like for my father and all those living in that region back then. My sorrow is overwhelming. I thank God that my father had the wisdom to leave when he did. I can trace my father's ancestors back to the 1750s and for almost 200 years they managed to survive in those West Virginia hollows. The coal mining industry raped the land, destroyed a proud and strong people, and then deserted them.

[Spakester]

WE MAKIN IT OUTTA THE COAL MINES WITH THIS ONE 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[hypers]

Damn, really clever of Bezos to have a theme song for his company, really helps with promotion.

[katelynmarsh]

I work at an “old country store” with a restaurant attached and they played this today. Gave quite a bitter taste in my mouth considering our manager constantly tells us we’re not allowed to discuss our pay rates with each other…

[doughelms]

This song brought me here. Nothing but the desire to hear this song.

[richardwalker]

the working mans mantra song that never goes out of style-
an almost forgotten classic masterpiece by an immortal voice

[steveshyde]

This song. I am thirty three years old. I remember dancing with my grandmother to this song when I was three. Thank you for this.

[aislingthebard]

Tennessee Ernie Ford was a friend of my dad's, and I first heard this song in 1955 when I was 8 years old, in our living room where he and dad were singing it together...it has been a beloved memory ever since. Thank you for sharing!

[infinitedifference]

This has to be one of the best songs ever written and sung.

[dulceduqueestrada]

I am Brazilian, from Rio de Janeiro, a 76 years old psychoanalyst, and thought I was the only living being who still remembered (and knew all the lyrics of) this song. Yesterday I went to a meeting celebrating the 42th anniversary of our High School graduation and met a classmate who also remembered the whole song, which we were happy to sing in a duet... thanks, Tennessee Ernie Ford, wherever you are!!

[hhbsmac]

I love the sparse instrumentation on this. The song is just done so well.

[jonathonspears]

You know, I feel like we are coming full circle with this song. Written about the people who work day in and day out never getting anywhere and falling further and further behind. With rising prices and no wages to compensate, we will soon be back to that.

[Wilkins_Micawber]

One of the earliest songs I can ever remember through my 73 years. I was raised singing it. I love it.

[rodsreel]

So well written, arranged  engineered and sung, absolute class. This song stands way out from the crowd with such strong character -  as a good song should. Respect.

[kystars]

My grandfather was a coal miner in eastern, Kentucky. He eventually died of black lung. Miners are a wonder

[renancasagrande]

Lyrics:

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 16 tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
St. 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 16 tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said, "Well, a-bless my soul"


You load 16 tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
St. 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
Can't no high toned woman make me walk the line

You load 16 tons, what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt
St. 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 get you
Then the left one will


You load 16 tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
St. Peter don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store