Dark tune about dark times. Legendary. My old man grew up in 20's and 30's in coal mine town in western KY. Dirt poor, barely subsistence living and it is true you were in debt to coal company with no way out. Black lung, mine accidents and violence between men was very common. My dad witnessed two murders - one including friends - and knew of a few others - all in a small town. This tune is viewed as an old time quaint country tune, but it subject is pretty grim. With WWII, my dad escaped.
@bluesdoggmusicrediker4614
3 жыл бұрын
THANKS FOR SHARING....
@663rainmaker
3 жыл бұрын
EVRAZ Russia 🇷🇺 EVRAZ Pueblo Colorado USA 🇺🇸 EVRAZ Claymont DeLaWaRe USA 🇺🇸 aid and abet Russia 🇷🇺 1-20-2021
@tgipson20
Жыл бұрын
My grandfather died at 52 from black lung. Boone county West Virginia.
@jjk2one
Жыл бұрын
The mercury from the coal causes agitation. The coal power plant near me is called the sacrifice zone. the highest breast cancer rate in the country.
@tflstr557
9 ай бұрын
I love this story about your dad. It makes me happy to know he left that lifestyle because if WWII. Its a good thing to know that one can leave and start a new lifestyle 0:13 , isen't it. I have a problem with being in debt im working on it. Im fournate to not be additicted. I was to cigarretts. and left that . Were men, strong enough to change for the better,
@pipersdram
2 жыл бұрын
As a child, this was the first song that I ever memorized. It was the Tennessee Ernie Ford version. It is really nice to hear it in its original version. So nice.
@LadyRoyce
10 жыл бұрын
I have always liked this song done by Tennessee Ernie Ford. BUT! To hear and see the author of this song singing it is a real treat! Very good video. Thank you for sharing it with us.
@pickerdad8402
7 жыл бұрын
Merle is on record saying that he used to hate Tennessee Ernie doing this song, until they suddenly started selling. After several years, Ernie 's version broke out, to the tune of 4 million copies, and then everyone had to cover it, and Merle says he suddenly became a great friend of Tennessee Ernie Ford.
@b_uppy
5 жыл бұрын
Love the songwriter for writing and Tennessee Ernie Ford for making it famous. Great song.
@discgolfjockey1
5 жыл бұрын
I've also heard him use the last line of the song to say I owe my soul to Tennessee Ernie Ford
@tedpeterson1156
5 жыл бұрын
PickerDad As the writer of the tune, Merle got a nice royalty check out of that deal, I think that's how it works anyway. Go salute the mailbox every month. Somebody once asked Don McLean "what does the song 'Miss American Pie' really mean?" He replied "It means I never have to work again if I don't want to."
@travisgrizzard8453
4 жыл бұрын
@@discgolfjockey1 He ended it that way on his last concert tour. I saw him in Mesa, AZ, in a bar called "The Cave".
@MrRdrcr
7 жыл бұрын
It's pretty awesome that footage like this still exist. For us old souls that wonder what it was like back then. We can get a little glimpse.
@pickerdad8402
7 жыл бұрын
Surprise! Music Videos actually started in the late 40s. Somebody figured out how to play a movie on a little screen attached to the Juke Box. 5 cents to hear a record, 10 cents to see it. It was a Hollywood company of course, and tMerle Travis was one of the biggest musicians living in Hollywood. He banged off a whole series of these mini-films for the juke box, and so we still have them to enjoy. You're right, it's like a time capsule.
@barbarag.5521
5 жыл бұрын
@@pickerdad8402 There are some good YT videos of Willie Nelson on television back in the day - probably not like Merle Travis's music vids, but very entertaining as well.
@schmidt60410
4 жыл бұрын
This is from the TV show Town Hall Party hosted by Tex Ritter.
@phogue1
5 жыл бұрын
LOVE THIS! Years ago, I was in the Army deployed to Hungary. We were restricted to base except for one restaurant off post that my buddy Jeremy and I got a gig to play. It was my first sort-of paying gig...goulash, bread, and a coke from the owner. We thought we were going to play for 20 minutes, tops. Turned out we were there for the next five hours. We started off well, but my voice started to give out, and we were getting tired, messing up some songs badly, and were ready to leave about 10:30 with our tails between our legs. Part of our problem was we had no idea what they wanted to hear. We were getting ready to pack up and leave when a man walked up from the other end of the restaurant with a yellowed piece of paper with this scribbled on it: "16 Tonnes." I had the song in a cheat book, and another friend of ours who was there sat in and played guitar (he was far better than me) and my buddy played harmonica while I did my best Tennessee Ernie Ford imitation. We absolutely killed, huge applause. After that we could do no wrong. We played like pros, voices were perfect, everything just clicked. Turned out the man and his family were sitting in the back room listening to us the whole night. The grand dame of the family came up and just bragged on us effusively, and the best we could translate she compared me to a matador. I think that was good. The man came back up and said he wanted to introduce me to his sister. I didn't see that going well, and we were already past the curfew so we got ready to make our escape. As we walked out, the man introduced the girl. She was about 19, and one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen (I was still in my 20s at the time). They wanted us to go to another party, but Jeremy was practically dragging me away then. "On no, Paul, we have to go, remember?" Anyway, I will never forget that night, and I still have that piece of paper 22 years later.
@ChristosKariolis
5 жыл бұрын
What a story, man. Thanks so much for sharing!
@PntrGrl
4 жыл бұрын
@Russell Allen huh?
@SelectaDreadHead
4 жыл бұрын
What a story! I'm form Hungary and I'm happy to read that you entertained some Hungarians and enjoyed yourself very much! :D
@lmansingh
4 жыл бұрын
Your story is about as good as the song. My mama used to sing this when I was young ! thx for sharing
@lmansingh
4 жыл бұрын
Great story. As good as the song. My mama sang this to us when we were little. Though I wonder is she remembers. Thks for sharing
@decwhite2080
9 күн бұрын
Fallout is bringing back these bangers !
@wayelrob
15 жыл бұрын
Merle was always a brilliant songwriter. This is one of my favorites. I heard it was given to Ernie Ford by accident. Of course with his amazing voice he "owned" it for the rest of time.
@jomama3533
Жыл бұрын
Both my grandfather's worked in coal Mines on cape breton Island. Miles out underneath the sea. This song sends chills down my spine
@Deejayboy
6 жыл бұрын
A story song and you can actually understand every word. The version by Tennessee Ernie Ford was the very first song I memorized entirely at the age of about 3 or so. Many years later, I discovered the composer's version. Kudos to Merle Travis for writing a classic that will survive the ages.
@averat84
5 жыл бұрын
Jim Croce could also tell a good story.
@Shubaduba-Haligali
2 жыл бұрын
Настоящая песня настоящего американского пролетариата. У донецких шахтёров тоже есть песня про "коногона". Совершенно другие слова, но смысл удивительно схожий.
@HatsandSuch
14 жыл бұрын
I understand what you're saying, but there's a large supply of good country music made decades ago to still allow someone today to be a country fan.
@vitral2853
4 жыл бұрын
This song always plays in my mind whenever I go to my temporary employment job at a packaging warehouse. Really stands the test of time.
@Guitarfreak365
14 жыл бұрын
Why can't country be like this today!? This is awesome!
@thezetes
9 ай бұрын
Because in the West, we don't break your back anymore. Real country you find in the mines of Africa, but it is not the sound you're searching for
@andym7165
5 ай бұрын
Because the audience for this type of music are all dead lmao
@artv4nd3l4y
3 ай бұрын
@@andym7165I had a nice time with your mother last night, what a slut
@altrock86
5 жыл бұрын
My grandfather used to sing this to me as a young boy. He always sang it low and slow. I had no idea how fast paced it was and how jazzy it sounded.
@IlariaDotCom
14 жыл бұрын
today my history's teacher played this song in the class....it was fantastic...this song is beautiful!!
@racerx1189
2 жыл бұрын
Now I know where "I owe my soul to the company store" comes from. I found my way here while reading about electric guitar pioneers of all things. A very talented gentleman. 🎸
@bergarteric5713
2 жыл бұрын
The real class !!!!! nothing else ......perfect and the soul and heart !!! class realy !!! Eric from France
@GVernon
6 жыл бұрын
Surely one of the greatest songs ever written.
@therealforestelf
5 жыл бұрын
not always the inventor is the winner. but this is awesome. you feel that this dude's way more connected to the story he wrote - there are over 200 versions of this song I believe. the latest to blow up again is probably the one by Tennessee Ernie Ford because he was hyped in the latest South Park episodes. this song is immortal now.
@PainandSorrow
4 ай бұрын
That chord he plays right after "16 tons" really scratches that itch.
@vallotubli
10 ай бұрын
Weird to think that Merle Travis is only 29 years old in this film but looks like a nowadays average guy in his sixties.
@wgastrove
14 жыл бұрын
My thoughts and prayers go out to the miners and their families who passed at the Upper Big Branch in Raleigh County, West Virginia keep these families in your prayers
@TheHarrip
4 жыл бұрын
I can not believe I found the original version, you are a legend my friend
@dansdotcom
11 жыл бұрын
Merle Proclaimed on his last Album he did with this song on it " I OWE MY SOUL TO TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD" in the last line of the song
@leexag
11 жыл бұрын
God, I worked in automotive for a year and I cry while I listen to this.
@giuseppetarantini1960
4 ай бұрын
more relevant than any song created in the last fifty years
@dillonzehnder9313
3 жыл бұрын
I first heard this song as a live recording from a pretty talented group of street performers, and I'm kind of amazed at how much it has been adapted by different artists. The 16 tons my dad remembers, the 16 tons i heard, and the 16 tons in this video are almost completely different songs, but the soul of the song remains the same. I find that incredible.
@gregorydodwell3895
5 жыл бұрын
So glad I saw it. Love the jazzy flourishes. Making it look easy is the sign of a great performer.
@justin2308
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Merle Travis, for writing this song, and thank you, Tennessee Ernie Ford, for increasing its popularity.
@ashketchup4686
3 жыл бұрын
This is older than me I love this song ❤️ the deep meaning and the rhythm touches my soul
@altamashkhan7650
3 жыл бұрын
Listen to "ye ladki bheegi bhaagi si" by Kishore Kumar.... It is a tribute to this
@VarunSharma-fh4vv
3 жыл бұрын
That's not exact copy but certainly used it to create that one...no matter what bheegi bhagi si still worth vibing to ☺️
@jyotishkabasu4341
3 жыл бұрын
Most probably Kishore Kumar and S. D. Burman took the inspiration from Ford's version.
@koretmulder6316
2 жыл бұрын
I tried to copy/paste, but Google came up empty. Too bad, I'm curious.
Loved this song since I first heard it in the 50s. I've heard many covers, none come close to Merle Travis original, and few retain original chords. Thank you for posting this.
@neilmc250
15 жыл бұрын
legend....
@joaocarlospereiralima2746
5 ай бұрын
Watching from Brazil. Worderful. I love this old songs!
@allenmurray7893
9 күн бұрын
Great to watch him perform it. I like his and Ernie Fords version.
@francescosigona7722
4 жыл бұрын
Best version of this song !
@derickburke2057
3 жыл бұрын
This specific recording of this song is the best hand down
@john26660
15 жыл бұрын
This is absolutely fabulous.
@andrewx7806
4 жыл бұрын
Great song. A working mans classic.
@markrush5942
6 жыл бұрын
massive legend!!
@morfinafreak
10 жыл бұрын
I just found the grandfather of heavy metal. Respect for him.
@pickerdad8402
7 жыл бұрын
And what would Rock Guitarists have done if Merle had not invented "Travis Picking". Until then there were only two ways to play guitar: Chord strumming and single-note Melody. You needed one of each. Merle started down the road of playing melody, rhythm, and bass simultaneously. Without him, we might all still be playing in something like a minstrel band.
@ThePaulv12
6 жыл бұрын
Well he might be a part in it but I reckon Beethoven is the father of Heavy Metal. Listen to the forth movement of the 6th Symphony. Remember this was composed in ~1802-1808 and is unamplified. The sound when performed today - also unamplified, is very loud. Here you go: kzitem.info/news/bejne/woits6x5rpOYjJw Gustav Holst around the beginning of the 20th Century wrote the Planets. The movement Mars the Bringer of War has themes of Heavy Metal also: kzitem.info/news/bejne/un9nk22mfWmDdn4 It was inevitable that the guitar expanded upon themes already in the collective unconscious, esp when combined with the electric guitar, overdriven tube amplification and Blues music. That's how I see the advent of Heavy Metal in the 60s and early 70s. Heavy Metal from that era is generally accepted as being conventional Blues based. I think it was after about 1975 that Heavy Metal changed to 'real' Heavy Metal and that a reclassification of the earlier Heavy Metal became Hard Rock. Just my 2c. Like you I'm fascinated by it.
@EiligeIntuition
13 жыл бұрын
The absolutely coolest version!
@anmolbaral3135
8 жыл бұрын
I listened this song because it is in our syllabus of college. But This song is actually good.
@einhalbesbrot
9 ай бұрын
Truly immortal sixteen tons
@Epirote49
14 жыл бұрын
Don't let them get to you! Merle Travis was one of the greatest musicians and he has inspired a lot of people to play the guitar and sing. I am one of them and I am grateful for that.
@artv4nd3l4y
6 ай бұрын
I know it's the original but I feel like this is my favorite, it's just got that soul to it, that chord on the guitar at :55 is also so perfect, such a dark sound to it.
@Lwislol
11 жыл бұрын
Interesting story, thank you for sharing!
@wolfsokaya
10 ай бұрын
Nice. :] Both the song and the fact that i can still see it. :]
@ClintColesCorner
5 жыл бұрын
Amazing song. Prefer the Tennessee Ernie cover of it, but it's always awesome to hear the original. Thanks for uploading this.
@NondescriptMammal
7 ай бұрын
Such a natural style on the guitar, like the instrument is a part of him
@bandicoot5412
3 ай бұрын
Travis picking! Plus a great song writer, whoa!
@AvitalShtap
4 жыл бұрын
Oh dude this was amazing. Merle is a treasure!
@MarcPawlowsky
2 жыл бұрын
Grew up with the T Ford version, which has become my staple to sing when I am shovelling show. Can't imagine shovelling coal for a living.
@WildeNotesMusic
14 жыл бұрын
Nice to hear Merle's original version, even though I love Tennessee Ernie's version too.
@raskinblog
Жыл бұрын
Wow he was a very great guitar player. much love.
@07awb
10 жыл бұрын
I don't normally listen to this kinda music much but this song is awesome.
@pickerdad8402
7 жыл бұрын
Google "Merle Travis". you'll find a lot more like it.
@TheAlrik310
14 жыл бұрын
GOOOOD STUFF ODE TO MERLE TRAVIS HE WAS THE BEST
@joby613
11 жыл бұрын
Bless their souls. The coal they mined produced the steel that built America.
@Sams911
14 жыл бұрын
country today would be unrecognizable to the artists of that era.
@SmilingJack100
14 жыл бұрын
1. Beautiful song, he has a great voice and excellent guitar skills. 2. I do have to weep for how out of touch most of the people in the south and midwest have become with the message of the song.
@weekdayyardsale
15 жыл бұрын
yesssssssssssssss! Support labor, unions, BUY AMERICAN
@mothersal4569
3 жыл бұрын
Thats my great great great uncle
@steverogers2635
6 ай бұрын
I didn't know Merle Travis wrote this song. Thanks for sharing!
@berrylover
14 жыл бұрын
these songs are addictive
@ronnieblanchet4072
29 күн бұрын
SOLI DEO GLORIA (To The Glory Of God Alone) Father, Son & Holy Spirit -Ronnie
@jtelander
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing!
@hektor_schmidt
5 жыл бұрын
Legend.
@oldsalt6585
13 жыл бұрын
I met Mr. Travis, and his wife, Betty, in Saigon in 1967 just before I came back to the states. The only thing I had for him (and his wife) to sign were my orders. It caused quite a stir when I checked into my next command. They didn't like "some civilian's name' on them. Yup, that's what the Chief said. I learned this song when I was in 4th grade (1956).
@etilaviit
2 жыл бұрын
Amo dms esse tipo de música
@MelissaPeck-in9tq
3 ай бұрын
i like the 60s country.
@markrush5013
Жыл бұрын
total legend
@angelagreener6519
3 жыл бұрын
This is great!
@racheln8563
3 жыл бұрын
Is it just me, or does the Merle Travis version of this song have more of a blues tinge than Tennessee Ernie Ford’s?
@williamrolls169
3 жыл бұрын
Hello friend, how are you doing today.
@TruthLivesNow
Жыл бұрын
Johnny Cash’s version is too Blue. Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version is as “Blue” as this version to me. I think Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version is better for me, this is pretty good though.
@markyates1116
3 жыл бұрын
I came from johnny cash then tennessee ernie ford, and found the original 👍 pretty cool.
@Heffsta02
13 жыл бұрын
ah thanks, my dad introduced me to Merle travis, I guess nowadays not many people would know that most electric guitars owe their thanks to Merle Travis' input to the design. Also that both blue grass/country legends Doc Watson and Chet Atkins named their children after this man.
@Sigridovski
6 жыл бұрын
Some people say a man is made out of mud But a poor man's made out of muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones With a mind that's weak and a back that's strong You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 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 well 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 bless my soul" He loaded 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 Well I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain Fightin' and trouble is my middle name Raised in the cane-brake by an old mama lion Ain't no high-tone woman make me walk the line You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 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 Well if you see me comin', you'd better step aside A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died One fist of iron, and the other one of steel If the right one don't get ya, then the left one will You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 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
@danielalberto8342
3 жыл бұрын
I love this song
@fjccommish
13 жыл бұрын
This = great.
@solidarityrail2551
2 жыл бұрын
I owe my soul to Amazon and the LandLord
@gbort1
3 жыл бұрын
Grear Song. Still relevant today sadly. But maybe someday it won't!
@theCoverHeaven
13 жыл бұрын
The original version was recorded in 1946 by Merle Travis. Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded it in 1955. Cause many believe that the original is by Tennessee Ernie Ford.
@andrewkling9530
6 жыл бұрын
I'm ashamed to say I didn't know this wasn't a Tennessee Ernie Ford original
@georgewashington6225
4 жыл бұрын
How do you think I feel...my grandpa just passed away in 2016 and his favorite singer was merle Travis. I really thought Tennessee Ernie Ford wrote this song but it makes sense because back then people would cover each other's songs out of respect for each other....
@lmansingh
4 жыл бұрын
Its a Mere Travis original. Made popular by Tennessee Ford. When it went to #1
@russelmurray9268
2 жыл бұрын
Merle Travis was a genius no doubt about it
@SirWolfgaar
14 жыл бұрын
1) Here's my family lore that I've been hearing since before I can remember. My father and his older brother (my uncle), both in their 70s, swore to this story just today when I pressed them to tell me if it was true or not. My grandfather lived and worked in the coalmines of Kentucky and raised his family there. According to my father, grandpa worked with the man who wrote "Sixteen Tons". As I said, I've heard that 100 times since I was little kid, but what they said today...
@DebraHill-vk3tb
6 ай бұрын
I was told by family that this song was written on the back porch of my family there in Muhlenberg County Kentucky they were all Coal Minners. And musicians. They said that Merle Travis wasn't blood related. But was thought of as family and was often at there family get togethers.
@PoisonClan73
13 жыл бұрын
The greatest. Forget song writing, he was the Babe Ruth of the guitar. Played base and lead without down tuning AND rolled with two fingers. I'd like to say impossible, but I've seen him play.
@mashmakhanzpua
2 жыл бұрын
GREAT ! THANX !
@nancyannbach113
7 жыл бұрын
Funnily enough an article about WVa & KY coalminers brought me here
@mayconjonnatha4613
8 жыл бұрын
esse e o famoso 16 toneladas
@catherinelynnfraser2001
5 жыл бұрын
Brilliant song
@adeltaprince
14 жыл бұрын
Absolutely right Daetalus67 ! thank you !
@Dontbustthecrust
11 жыл бұрын
I would've liked to hear Django Rienhart play this.
@SerafEnd
4 жыл бұрын
Oh yeah!!
@bruce1of7
13 жыл бұрын
The Union is why there are very few 21st century coal mines still open
@clyderf
13 жыл бұрын
Far and away the best version of this song was done by Merle on what I believe was his first recording of it. A while later it was re-released on an L P entitled "Back Home." This cut was free of being influenced by the pop hit and was pure Merle at his best; it blows away anything Tennessee Ernie Ford ever did.
@XAVYMARTIN
5 жыл бұрын
Ohh yeahh I need to cover that one!
@noahpennington9861
8 жыл бұрын
7 years later only 411,388 views and 1000 likes... What brought me here was my men's choir is singing this song xD
@TheRealBuckFiden
14 жыл бұрын
that's from the "coat tail" effect as business would name it.... companies are nearly forced to pay better wages, benefits, etc. to try to encourage workforces to NOT organize...however, NEVER forget WHY you are making what you're making, and most certainly never forget those that paid the ultimate price so that you can "always make a good living"!
@djruden
9 жыл бұрын
This guy is awesome!
@GRDray
6 жыл бұрын
OH YES..
@JohnGottschalk
7 жыл бұрын
To those discussing who wrote the song: you think George Davis wrote it? you're right! wait, you others think Merle has a claim to it? you're right! He put together this composition of the song, he's the composer, as the person introduces him says.
@mr.k.6359
7 жыл бұрын
Really? the story Merle tells, is that it was written by his brother in a series of letters to him, while they were both trying to be service members(Merle got a discharge for god knows what, if you know id love to hear), and they were sending each other letters about the the pay. there used to be a VHS you could buy with a interview with Merle from I want to say 1980(?), he smokes a pipe and explains most of his songs. he could have been lying I guess, Merle was braggadocios.
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