Thursday May 20, 2021 “Sixteen Tons” Gerald (Tennessee Ernie) Ford

Successor to Richard Nixon’s 1974 resignation, Gerald Ford probably wished he could have had the popularity that his namesake, Tennessee Ernie Ford did with his song that sold over twenty million records back in 1956.

Here’s a ‘throwaway’ tune written by country star Merle Travis and recorded quickly by Ernie Ford to fulfill a recording contract obligation.  The band was assembled on short notice, music sheets were handed out and from the control room Lee Gillette, the producer, asked the singer what tempo he wanted the song in and Ernie Ford simply snapped his fingers indicating the tempo, which remains a part of the song even today.

The song has been recorded by Eddy Arnold, Big Bill Broonzy, Eric Burdon, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Dean, Charlie Daniels, Joe Cocker, The Platters, Leon Russell, Johnnie Taylor and Bo Diddley.  When Bo Diddley was asked to perform this on a live telecast of The Ed Sullivan Show he instead decided on the spur of the moment to play his own song “Bo Diddley”.  As a result of that departure he was banned from future appearances on Sullivan’s show.

Apologies for this dated earworm, it will probably stick with you for a while.

Stay safe and well...and I wonder if Big Bad John worked the same mine that Tennessee Ernie Ford did.

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

Can'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