Sixteen Tons | Tennessee Ernie Ford | Oct 18, 1956

[@donwalters8877]

From Pennsylvania,lost family members in the mines. Had uncle's in the mines. This song makes me think of them.

[@valentinius62]

Same here. The company store was called the Keystone Store.

[@snarckysnarcky]

Merle really did write about real people

[@ΓιαννηςΧρυσουλας-ο3ξ]

EVEN GREEKS !! UP THERE !!(( TIKAS !!! P/ E!))

[@mikeschneider901]

OK - I'm 71 and I used to listen to this on 78 and still sing it.

[@NoureddinKhames]

You are a real Legend 💪🤝

[@iowapanner2223]

This and 'the man with the weird beard'. crank up record player in my great uncle's basement.

[@golden_opal6050]

My grandpa's in his 80's and he knew Tennesie Ernie. I'm a youngun' but I still love this kind of music, it's all I listen too lol. In fact my pastor called me a dinosaur for it XD

[@DanCohoon]

It is the only song my father ever sang.

[@ALink777]

Grace to you and peace from above.

[@rb8463]

No acoustic enhancements...a man, his voice, and a stage with a microphone before a live audience to display his talent...nothing more needs to be said.

[@josephvonbulow1164]

🍻🔥🔥🔥🔥😊

[@anthonyangeli256]

Sounds like percussion, accordion, stand up bass &, I kinda hear a clarinet too. Ernie was great.

[@RussellIser108]

I hear autotune

[@anthonyangeli256]

@@RussellIser108 Ernie Ford doesn't jive with. "auto tune" wtf are you talking about?

[@anthonyangeli256]

Ernie Ford was a real good singer. Listen to that voice in "16 tons". Amazing

[@rhondaboncutter5812]

I grew up listening to this man sing this song, born in 1953! My parents liked him and now I am 70 and still love this version!

[@jayonnaj18]

How fondly I remember Tenn. Ernie's 16 tons as a little girl born in the late 1940s! This song came out in 1955, I think, and was a MEGA HIT! I loved Ernie's singing voice! What wonderful memories!!!

[@stijn2472]

That's wonderfull! I am listening to this in my early twenties. If I may ask, do you have any advice for us young folk?

[@rogerhuggettjr.7675]

My wife said her dad had this song played at his funeral to spite the nuns that disciplined him for singing this in school as a kid! Last laugh I guess.

[@Patriotic_Hindu]

I was born in 2004 and I'm 19 and I still love this song This shows that this is a timeless masterpiece which aged like fine wine

[@terryjohnson3479]

@@stijn2472 I'm 70 and take notice of the line "ain't no high tone woman make me walk the line".

[@unusedsub3003]

I’m 19, I’m currently a building site labourer in Yorkshire, England. The money is okay, but the days are long and hard ☹️. I listen to this on the bus to work 😂.

[@1dnc4mun]

Also, this song refers to the time before unions. Companies would pay workers in company money. Then charge ever higher prices for the goods in their store. Then you would die in debt to the company and the boss man would profit greatly because of your efforts. It was a sad time and while I dont want to join a union, I am grateful and in debt to what they accomplished!

[@EdwardEmmick]

I used to sing it at work. 1:27

[@roddyboethius1722]

Ya load 16 tons, and what do ya get?

[@TheOneTrueKit]

It’s supposed to inspire ya to not do that. Grab that shovel and Dig your way out of the hard labour pit.

[@unusedsub3003]

@@TheOneTrueKit Well, I’m learning and saving. My time will come.

[@GiGiGoesShopping]

"Miners were paid in script, not real money. Mining companies operated company-owned stores that would sell miners the necessities of life, and since regular stores would not accept their script for payment, workers had to use the company store, purchasing items at often greatly inflated prices." Marvelous Mr. Ford ✨

[@WW-ug1jk]

there's a place in hell for those exploiters. the bible expressly prohibits this. Business Exploiter "It was just business.". Jesus, "It's just hell you'll be fine."

[@sharathkumar8422]

Coffee plantations did something similar in India in the 50s

[@vaughnogrosky23]

Kenmont Mines, Jeff, KY, south of Hazard, used coin script and had a company store and "Big House," similar to the old plantation concept. However, at times the UMW and/or the Southern Labor Union organized the area.

[@liljoe31]

Our future with cbdc

[@helenamcginty4920]

The mill owners in Lancashire and Yorkshire in England used to do this in the 19th century. It was outlawed under the Truck Act 1831. Also outlawed was paying the factory workers and miners wages in the local pub, which paid the company to do so as the employees immediately spent their wages.

[@carolekohlschmidt6899]

Ernie had such a beautiful voice.

[@danield.torrestapia000]

Metrobus251"][,,

[@DaBlazesUSay]

He was a trained singer, having studied at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

[@janicerothe1823]

@@danield.torrestapia000 is

[@DENNISDAVIS-o2n]

The people who were born prior to 1950 were so blessed to hear these fantastic singers sing songs that will be played for another 100 years.

[@Dollette.101]

Yeah and we’re over here listening to complete shit

[@gregoryclemen1870]

my dad used to sing this tune, and I have the 45 R.P.M. single of this tune( in good shape--- original pressing)

[@majordbag2]

To be fair, there were plenty of awesome singers in 1880s too, they just were never recorded for the benefit of us today. Fortunately, we have do have classics like this.

[@brendareed3678]

I was born in 1956 the year this came out and still love the music from the 50's, 60's and 70's rock and roll and country.

[@LynnNunns]

I’m 71, and remember hearing Tennessee Ernie Ford singing this. I didn’t appreciate how great it was, but do now. Simple beautiful and powerful.

[@Jimi-h3i]

Yes and Amen

[@radicalauthenticity316]

"Sixteen Tons" and "Big John" were my favorite songs as a child, and to this day, they're still among my favorites.

[@dianajones1062]

My mother went to one of his concerts back in the late 50s . She actually ran up on the stage and kissed him!! She was a total fan girl!!

[@fortybelow1973]

Not only is he talented, but also handsome. Per me, a 71 yr old grandfather.

[@golden_opal6050]

My grandpa knew him before he got into music too lol

[@stevenbass732]

My dad, a coal miner, loved this song. He told me that it was not only a song but a testimonial.

[@donnajeffries7913]

Reminds me of my granddaddy what worked in the Tunnelton mines in West Virginia away back in the late 1920"s.

[@stevenbass732]

@@donnajeffries7913 I believe that those were the mines my dad worked in. He started out at 12 taking care of the mules that pulled the carts around 1921. Before he died, he told me that if I ever went down in one of those holes, the first thing I would see was him. I always pictured it as him standing there rolling up his sleeves saying "boy, I done told you ". Needless to say, I have never been inside a coal miner. Lol.

[@atomdecay]

This man has more talent in his SNAP than everyone else in that room

[@ballooncrew2994]

I'm 65 and loved this from age 10. Best of the best.

[@RonnieGreen-sk9ul]

I remember his TV shows

[@foogiefay4037]

this was my dad's "party tune " when i was young and people had house party's where everyone sang a song, I miss my dad so much :(

[@bobkelly3162]

Lol. Was my dad's party piece too when he got a few jars in him. Back in the sixties. Miss him too.

[@carldeanwebb5181]

Yes it was Dad played it and many more...I miss those days and the music....

[@jaynescott219]

This was played at my dad’s funeral today. I love this song but what got me most was everyone including teenagers there said how Catchy it was! ❤

[@richardhenrysr5029]

sorry about your loss. mining is so dangerous. i am 75 and still remember him singing this on his show. things were so much simpler back then...but miners never got the respect and pay for their horrendous & dangerous work...i have enormous respect for those who provided power to america...

[@jonathansmith5561]

R.i.p man

[@ronnyfurst5511]

May he rest in peace....

[@oscarsiri2763]

We sang that song in my school. It was chosen by 14 year olds over.... maybe a hundred modern songs. I couldn't believe it! they all love it and were astonished that song was over 67 years old! they are all snapping fingers now. This is proof it is an inmortal classic.

[@garyssimo]

Im about to try out for an old fogey band who wants me to do this on guitar and sing. Not really a singer but this is perfect range for this old codger.

[@ИраПисменная]

Да, лучше Пол Робсона наврятли кто то исполнял

[@furiousfuryan]

The message is still so relevant

[@observer3232]

In about 1979 I was in a Cowboy type bar, located in a hotel near the STL airport. Tennessee Ernie was in the house,having a few drinks with some friends of his and the band invited him on stage he he knocked this tune for a very appreciative audience.

[@guykarafa5866]

I love the start . He smiles when he hears the opening notes , like it’s bringing back a great memory. It does for me , always liked him !

[@Light_Assassian]

The Human Jukebox himself, he dont need an outlet but the band gotta breathe🤣🤣🤣 That's why the wait to play, he gotta make the air they using with them lungs. If he didnt have a deep voice he could just whisper them damn socks off wouldnt even have to blow. The curled back hair, jet black with a shine. When my fingers snap you'll run up your spine. Black and blue is too good for you. Six feet under will be your doom. 6 foot down what have you now? The truth beneathe that cold cold ground. Was it worth it? How can it be true? Come on God and take me too.

[@vsevolodburavchenko8400]

@@Light_Assassian Oh my! Where's this verse from?

[@Light_Assassian]

@@vsevolodburavchenko8400 the part where I said you'll run up your spine. Itll take your soul for the next line. In other words you gotta feel it and itll fall into place.

[@sir_muath]

This song is worldwide song.. I'm from the middle east and i play it daily

[@davidanglin7177]

Cool!!

[@sir_muath]

@@davidanglin7177 you're the cool one dude

[@aboodalii]

Where are you from, i'm syrian

[@hattooomsx5079]

سفير الميمز

[@sir_muath]

@@aboodalii I'm from Saudi Arabia

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

I was born the year this song came out. Sixteen Tons will still be heard the year I go out.

[@ossie-qv5sy]

Excelente artista 👌 felicitaciones, desde Argentina ❤

[@garyechols9458]

I was 1.

[@sueoorbeck4887]

He had a fantastic voice. Loved watching him on TV all the time when I was young.

[@johnbrown-sg5cv]

for reference how old are you now and how old were you watching it?

[@marcellogenesi6390]

I think he sung: River of no return a film with Marilyn Monroe

[@dancingsocrates9491]

Since Amazon is starting to push for company towns again, this song is unfortunately relevant again.

[@dimisbam7725]

Almost a century later and more relevant than ever...nothing will change if the working class stands still

[@alanmprice3174]

Ten weeks #1 country, eight weeks #1 pop. Often covered, but never imitated.

[@NondescriptMammal]

I owe my soul to the company store. Pretty remarkable for its time, that a song so smooth and listenable could at the same time be a radical poke at the miserable plight of thinly veiled indentured labor.

[@MrDunkycraig]

Its a timeless commentary on the working class, as relevant now as it ever was

[@bussesandtrains1218]

🤓

[@GuRx13]

I wonder if he thought people around the whole world would be watching this 68 years later.

[@ilyakaminsky466]

I was born in USSR, behind the iron curtain. This refrain I heared since I remember myself: А в каждой бомбе 16 тонн! Till this moment I didnt know the original. Now I know - and this is forever.

[@VILJL]

"Sixteen Tons" is a song written by Merle Travis about a coal miner, based on life in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Travis first recorded the song at the Radio Recorders Studio B in Hollywood, California, on August 8, 1946. It was first released in July 1947 by Capitol on Travis's album Folk Songs of the Hills. The song became a gold record.

[@jamesham521]

Classic description of life for many

[@peterreyes1177]

Use to listen to this song . When i was a kid i still like this song.

[@Pim-vdb]

I recently found this song and it stuck in my head cuz I used to have a crappy job and it reminded me of it. I put it on for my father and he instantly recognised it and song with me. Apparently my grand father used to love this song aswel and played it regularly. A true classic. (I’m 22 and love this. I hope this song wil continue its legacy)

[@miseryfps6447]

Try the Johnny cash version

[@golden_opal6050]

Yeah lol this man might as well be a legend. My grandpa knew Tennesie Ernie, and my dad's ringtone on his phone was Ford's 'Shotgun Boogie' for as long as I can remember. I still listen to his music almost daily lol

[@helenhighwater5313]

I remember my Mom saying that Don McNeill, a Catholic, wouldn't allow Mr. Ford to sing that song on his radio show because of the line "St. Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go, I owe my soul to the company store".

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

12 years before I was borne. I always loved him and that song. It's music about hard work and taking pride in it and earning a living with Muscle. Putting food on the table clothes on you and your family's back and a roof over your head. No matter the trade. Esential workers. I work keeping the local water system going. No work from home for people like us. It's down in the muddy hole when the pipes break . Never forget all that risk life and limb to keep the world going

[@Darruus]

It is about manual labor, I’ll give you that. But is sounds to me like a song against the rich and the capitalists that keep the working class doing that manual labor poor.

[@liljoe31]

Yeah capitalists. Sure.

[@laurakelso6205]

​@@DarruusI'd say all huge corporations/ globalist/ communist are the ones who want to keep the people down and out !!

[@youtybebw]

Almost 70ty years later and the song is still relatable to the regular worker.

[@JerzCe73]

EXACTLY! Right here relating in 2024

[@rodadams2642]

I'm listening 2024

[@PaulineDawes]

So am l listening right now. Was about 12 when this came out, what a voice.

[@PaulineDawes]

Forgot to add I'm 82 in 5 weeks and still remember the words so well.

[@Aschariel]

My music taste was always good. Johnny Cash lead me to discover this treasure. Tennesse Ernie Ford was extraordinary. Music would be dead, if not for these talented men and women.

[@portyport9018]

you make me sick.

[@benjaminperez6620]

Today is my mother’s birthday. She loved Ernie. She was born 1931 in Appalachia

[@constancepeterson6156]

Happy Birthday to your mom.

[@jensjesfjeld6238]

This is better in 2024 than it was in 1956. If you know, you know.

[@monzersaid]

Seriously omg , what a damn gem this is , Fargo brought me here idk bout you

[@jensjesfjeld6238]

I've known this tune all my life@@monzersaid

[@jensjesfjeld6238]

Oh man fer sure. If you had a hammer would you hammer in the morning? Would you hammer in the evening, all over this land? Some songs will live in our heads, rent free, forever 😜 @@tired5350

[@bbroadwell]

I know

[@olgablockmon7908]

So agree, this is when music was music ❤

[@richardpiper6265]

I was 6 when he sang this. What a great talent. Remember watching him on TV with my parents.

[@blackvulcan100]

I was 9..

[@kdw75]

Gen Xer that grew up listening to the 50s and 60s songs.

[@giovanniamore2438]

fallout ? 😄

[@tomquinn5437]

Ernie will live forever thanks to KZbin and the Internet.

[@DavidChallis-dj3ek]

This is what I call talent, no autotune, no simon cowbell.. NO SONY crap... just sublime!

[@maglav527]

'86 baby here. THIS is music. What do we have today in 2024? Anybody? Anybody with anything remotely close to an answer? I'll respond if anyone can answer.

[@trainliker100]

I was 8 years old when Tennessee Ernie Ford's version of this came out. It was HUGELY popular and had almost constant play on the radio for a while.

[@jimihendrix6969]

Maybe, one day I will be, as old as this track. But if i ever think I am as cool as this track, Well I better wake myself up , And jump in the Sea. Because there ain't nothing cooler, than what I hear.

[@JeepNut-rq5fb]

If you're from mining country, this song is in your blood. It's our ancestry. Our history. He's the master of this song.

[@dougbruce4978]

from eastern ky grandpaw 33 years in mines died with a cheast full of coal dust

[@lisapease4641]

I grew up to this song i love it. Always have its kinda haunting now im older and understand it.

[@cartoonfredbarney]

The man had a gorgeous natural voice. A personality bigger than that voice, and incredible charisma that tied the two together to make a man who was unique to his time. My mother loved hearing him sing. So I heard that voice a lot. I still like hearing him sing!

[@patticrichton1135]

I was 9 years old on Oct. 18, 1956 when he sang this on his show, which my family and I watched EVERY week. I LOVE this song, and loved it then as a child. I always wished that Tennessee Ernie Ford could be my uncle!! I guess I had a bit of a crush on him. RIP Mr. Ford for all that great music and fun we enjoyed watching your TV show.

[@chisar2]

I was 0.5 years old.

[@garybradley1]

​@@chisar2Me too, I was born on 18th April 1956. I grew up with my dad snging this.

[@chisar2]

@@garybradley1 19th May 56.

[@robbynholmes9507]

I had a crush on him too, thinking "Ooo, this is a man!" Strong. tough, but happy and a good guy!

[@carolfulton4919]

My grandson of 14 years love Tennessee Ernie Ford & sings right along with him !! Timeless

[@11vlyleven]

What superb vocal tone! Even at pianissimo it's still the same. Thank you for posting!

[@roelrabulan9385]

remember

[@MrSKREYK]

I was looking for this song for 20 years and trying to remember in my head what the song was like, my god I finally found it

[@johnknottenbelt2727]

I was 8 years old when I first heard this mesmerising tune & Mr Ford's wonderful baritone delivery. It still makes me sit up & take note, as it did many others, including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan etc.

[@bettystowe4034]

I'm 69 years old. Loved Ernie. Loved this song

[@Jimi-h3i]

Totally hypnotized the first time I heard/saw this watching late night tv with Mom in about 1970 I was about 4. Still completely mesmerizing testimony for the hardworking man. His voice tho

[@DannyAckerman-p7o]

I watch his program when i very little in the 50s love that song still sounds good at 77years old ❤😂

[@rosehelmich2979]

What a voice! And what stage presence!!!! My dad used to sing this at home!!

[@bronwynsearle2117]

Snapping those fingers 🤌🤌 and a great voice and song... They don't make them like that anymore!

[@AJStarhiker]

First time I heard this song was my dad and uncle talking about and singing stuff they grew up with.

[@stayprogressive6775]

Tennessee Ernie Ford could make any song sound cheerful, yet the meaning is loud and clear...... wow!

[@jamescrews4583]

I still sing this song 😊

[@constancepeterson6156]

I love this song since I was a child. My uncle use to sing it to us. The song has great memories. Erin’s voice is amazing.

[@philstall6262]

I will never get bored of this song I love it it's before my time and I love It

[@evangorski7992]

Although horrifyingly the premise is very much of our time, company towns like the one described here have recently made a legal comeback in some states under the new name “innovation zones” likely to be developed by Amazon/Tesla soon😬

[@loginyes3745]

⁠@@evangorski7992the people yearn for the mines

[@caneloguero]

His performance put a smile on my face.

[@charlenek5401]

And dance

[@jameshelms4582]

Great singer and a great actor. We lost a National Treasure when he passed away

[@noelwilde]

Brilliant live performance

[@ann-catherinemorner7499]

Well, well bless my soul...

[@happycat0411]

Great 1950s song! Love those early songs when song lyrics were inherently meaningful and had a message to convey to those faceless workers working at big industrial factories. I remember hearing this song on the 1990 movie "Joe versus the Volcano" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

[@garylane6227]

Great song, great singer!

[@JudyCarolA]

Love this song. He was the best. 🎶🎵 Here April 19, 2024

[@rotunda57]

When working in the seedhouse I usually lifted and palletized 500 to 550 60 lb bags of wheat or soybean seed per day. Figuring it up it's right about 16 tons of product. They are right about how much product a man can handle per day on a continuing basis.

[@kevintaylor791]

I was on a "performance improvement plan" at a job when COVID hit. The company offered loans for people affected. I sang two bars of this song in the meeting when they announced it. It came up when they were firing me.

[@jnroscoedesroches7382]

if you work in private industry the don't care you just number that can be easily replaced by another number

[@SardonicDog]

I played this over and over on my dad’s 45 and sang and sang….

[@josvandencamp8441]

I'm 70 and I still love this music.

[@izzyafith8124]

Everyone young man should have to listen to this on repeat and write a paper about the lessons of the past our grandparents learned the lesson our parents forgot

[@lescobrandon3047]

I remember it from when I was a kid, and it still hits into my being,

[@larryhunter2026]

My daddy drove me and my sis in his VW when this played and he'd sing along, he was killed of by hosp doctors several months ago, its good to remember happy times. I love this song!

[@mullen25]

this song is so good and his vocal is amazing. what a voice and what charisma he had. reason why this man was and is so beloved.

[@Pamela-rq9yj]

I was born in 54 and this was very popular when I was a kid. He had a great voice . My dad worked in the mines of Illinois in the 30s

[@AllisonHaefner-on2cl]

I recall this from grade school years. Reminds me of the years in Pittsburgh, PA (just a mill town when my uncles and others would stop in a bar for shots & beers (boiler makers) before work. The ovens and blast furnaces they worked next to were so hot & so scary; that was how they got their courage up each day-just to go to work. It was their job.

[@robertgift]

I'm from North Hills. Remember this on B&W TV. Surprised thathey stopped BEFORE work. After is understandable. Pittsburgh air was dirty from the blast furnaces in the 1950s. Loved seeing the frightening Tesla Coil's lightning at the Buhl Planetarium. Magnificent pipe organ at St. Paul Cathedral. West View Amusement Park.

[@MarianCox-eg7md]

September 23 1956 I am 68 years old and looking back on the good old days ❤ from Marian E Cox from West Plains Missouri

[@maryomnes9445]

I was 10 years old when I first heard this song. It brings back memories. My parents loved this song. Just loved the way this man signed. RIP Tennessee Ernie Ford.

[@MelodyFox]

Tennessee Ernie Ford sang this track nonchalantly, with a smile, fingers snapping, and not a pain in the world, apparently... In reality, the lyrics are very deep, sad, and portray the feelings and fatigue of those miners, then, and...now. An ode to all these hard working men, and women too. 🙏🙏 LPeaceM

[@TheGreatGouki]

You could change “company store” to something like Walmart or Amazon and it would absolutely fit today. You’d think we would have learned after 70 years…

[@tobyraptis3587]

probably find a song like that from a reddit user

[@feliciaackerman8804]

That's silly. People have alternatives to Walmart and Aazon.

[@1dnc4mun]

Not going to dispute abusing good workers, however, that isn't the the same as what this song is saying. That would apply if walmart had walmart dollars that could only be spent in walmart. Companies used to pay in script that was valid only in the company store.

[@beefdog2011]

I don't know why but maybe the most powerful song...

[@wbien6994]

What a voice, today if the can scream they make a record. Classic TEF from my generation.

[@VroodenTheGreat]

"... raised by an old mama lion, can't no high toned woman make me walk that line..."

[@mrstamp5121]

Fabulous Voice proper talent from back in the day!

[@davidr.4916]

Wow just Wow! His voice is pure gold.

[@CherylHughes-ts9jz]

My grandma was very proud of the fact that the same doctor that delivered Tennessee also delivered my daddy. Yes, in Tennessee 😅

[@sheajane7669]

Love Tennessee Ernie Ford . My family lived in coal camp. Dad was coal miner.

[@robbynholmes9507]

I was in high school when this wonderful song was a big hit and we all loved Tennessee Earnie Ford. I remember sitting around a large table with a bunch of friends singing this song at our Senior Prom, having the time of our lives, ❤❤❤

[@johnmaki3046]

This song was THE CLASSIC SALUTE TO AMERICAN WORKERS!

[@judywhite8879]

Real artist, great voice

[@ken-NC]

Can’t get enough of this great song.

[@vickietudor4506]

Extraordinary voice.We didn't have a tv yet so we went to a cousins home to watch this.

[@FrancesFontaine-rd1xl]

I was about 4 years old and my mom and dad played this song alot, I have been in love with this song since

[@nickxcore74]

My late Mum and Dad introduced me to this song and it’s always been one of my favourites. The sad thing is, the lyrics are so relatable today, because it reflects on how life is for the average working man nowadays. Slaving away for peanuts, being totally unappreciated by your employer while struggling to keep your head above water.

[@reb1050]

I can't remember the last time I heard that song. I can't even remember the last time I thought about that song either. However, I do remember hearing it and it was probably on Oct. 18, 1956. I know that because it was one of the shows my family watched on a regular basis. I turned 7 three weeks later.

[@harshitjoshi3082]

Have a great day sir ❤

[@CraigDavidsons]

I am so sorry if this sounds weird but you wrote such a nice and wonderful comment on here and I like your comment. I can tell you're a very positive person. If it's okay with you I'd love to be friends😊

[@reb1050]

@@CraigDavidsons You're right. It does sound weird.

[@CraigDavidsons]

@@reb1050 lol but you know im just trying to be honest with you

[@CraigDavidsons]

@@reb1050so can we be friends?