Some people say a man is made out of mud

Sixteen Tons was written by Merle Travis, the son of a Kentucky coal miner, in 1947.  It stands as a compelling tribute to those who dig this bitter earth.  

Merle Travis

Original Recording - 1947

The song has been recorded many, many times, most famously, of course, by Tennessee Ernie Ford. However, every skilled vocalist who has traversed it's lyric has mined something life affirming from its' rich vein of truth. Below are a few of the more significant renditions.  

Merle Travis Live 1958

Tennessee Ernie Ford 1955

Frankie Laine 1955

Pete Seeger and The Weavers - 1955

Herb Reed and The Platters - 1957

Oscar Brown, Jr. 1960

Golden Gate Quartet 1960

Tom Jones 1967 

Johnny Cash - 1987

Eric Burdon 1990

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 sixteen tons, 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, 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

I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion

Cain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line

You load sixteen tons, 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 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

You load sixteen tons, 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.

Mass grave following West Virginia coal mine explosion 1927