Tennessee Ernie Ford sings "John Henry"

Tennessee Ernie Ford sings "John Henry"

[@VoxGothica]

Surely one of the finest male voices in the history of recorded music. There are a few that could claim the title - Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Marty Robbins - but Ernie Ford is right up there.

[@skipandslide]

i think alot of the crooners are up there too, but yeah, youre right

[@raymondturner1478]

I'd give it to Elvis only because during his career he had about 4 different amazing voices. Ernie Ford is exceptional though.

[@sananton2821]

Thomas L. Thomas, Nelson Eddy, Sam Cooke, Jimmy Roselli, Jussi Bjorling, John McCormack, Fritz Wunderlich, Sergei Lemeshev, Mattia Battistini, Titta Ruffo, Riccardo Stracciari, Lawrence Tibbett, Eddie Fisher, Mickey Newbury, Oscar Natzka, Norman Treigle, Alexander Pirogov, Juste Nivette...

[@bluemonto8187]

You should be ashamed to put Elvis next to those men, he barely innovated music comparatively to these. Replace this list with hank Williams senior

[@davidlangdon9956]

Elvis and the rest couldn’t hold TEF’s shorts

[@black84camaro]

Good lord that man could sing. Love that voice.

[@cherylann9781]

Chevy7ky Yes, he could. My mom loved him. I grew listening to my mom's Gospel Albums by Mr. Ford. Better than going to church.

[@joeplante136]

I grew up listening to my father sing 16 tons, I didn’t remember until the day We celebrated his life. My brother sang it and and all the memories came flooding back.

[@cherylann9781]

@@joeplante136 😢 I’m sorry for your loss. I hope the flood of memories from the song was sweet to you though.

[@joeplante136]

@@cherylann9781 More than ever, my father was trained in classical music, opera and had a deep baritone voice! I never knew. He never let us in. All though today is Tennessee Ernie Fords birthday I celebrate my pop’s birthday. 02-08-1937

[@joeplante136]

I have same voice and it makes me smile !

[@johnbyerlein6682]

If any man was born to sing gospel music, TEF is #1 for me.

[@LaGringaLoca100]

Tennessee Ernie Ford and Jimmy Dean... there's never been anybody like them since.

[@Farmgirl2112]

my grandmother loved Ernie Ford so dearly. He had a wonderful voice!!!

[@annimerethenilsen8888]

One of my favorite all my life,now i am 66, old, but still working class, mama greets you!!❤❤

[@robertfarrar9223]

We had 2 channels on our TV. I remember getting our 1st TV. Back in this golden days songs were about the working man and his family. Kids picked up empty soda bottles to go to the fair. Two cents a bottle. Was hard to find as people didn't litter like they do today. Some of the best days of my life.

[@shirleyford104]

My daddy had a deep, mellow voice. I'm reminded of him everytime I hear songs like this by such men as T.E.F. Thanks for the memories.

[@marianware]

One of the 20th century's best voices; gorgeous, and like a river of warm caramel and hot fudge. Makes a person want to purr, just listening to it.

[@Christina-ks5os]

Fantastic description. Thank you for sharing.

[@LifesPeachy321]

Exactly how he makes me feel when listening to him!

[@larrydonguy]

Ford's SERIOUS singing voice, the one we hear on this clip (as opposed to the "hicked-up" version we sometimes hear on his lighter fare such as in "Shotgum Boogie") ,was one of the best singing voices of the 20th century.

[@davidfabian7505]

What a spectacular voice

[@CrazyforDonnyOsmond]

A voice like no other.

[@LifesPeachy321]

*This man has the most amazing vocals!* We just moved to TN from CT. Never heard of him even though I'm in my 60s. Popped up on my feed the other day and I've been down a rabbit hole ever since! His vocals are so soothing to me.

[@jofleming954]

I ran across Tennessee ERNIE FORD and wept. All of a sudden Iwas a little gril with my mother watching TV listening to this beautiful voice. Every thing from country ballads to a hymn to close the show. I never knew how much I missed his very beautiful voice as I'm sure that alot of us feel that way .

[@BeingRomans829ed]

I miss the America that loved Tennessee Ernie Ford.

[@bigidiotdumbstupidguy9329]

I wish America still knew who he was. But all lights fade I suppose. Same with Paul Robeson and even most of the Rat Pack.

[@larrydonguy]

There will always people who appreciate a great singing voice, so there will always be people who appreciate the great voice of TE Ford.

[@09abgij]

Not only in America friend. These great voices are appreciated in many other places, i live in Sweden and this is part of my musical memories too, of which i am grateful.@Jack Petry: agree on Paul Robeson and others, but i have a theory of our history (or maybe our knowledge) being stretched out at both ends like like a rubberband, we know more about todays world (and maybe even tomorrows) and at the same time we also learn more (and share) about the past. KZbin and this conversation is a fine example :) Anyway love the Gentleman From Tennessee. Skål!

[@marquitah1152]

@Jo Fleming Was your mom in love with him too? Mine was.

[@SirRodney1964]

Tennessee Ernie Ford used his great voice to entertain not to bore

[@MindManiacMarcus]

I love this guys voice, and funky lyrics.

[@jeanmarielarouche4230]

what a great day I had with this old music I grew up with.

[@unknown_person7259]

Honestly I love John henery he proved that anybody man small or tall weak or strong g was better than any machinery R.I.P John❤

[@CarlVB57]

This came from the Tennessee Ernie Ford Show. One of the very early TV variety shows. Remember it well from when I was a kid.

[@CaptAoife]

This is actually from his appearance on The Jack Benny Show. I just saw it in rerun the other night.

[@lulem400]

What blows my mind is not the quality of this song, but the quality of the video? WTF .... so we've had HD since the 50's?

[@BlueCollarBachelor]

+lulem400 Properly stored film is the ultimate HD.

[@sally450]

+lulem400 only in black and white!

[@martinkrauser4029]

+lulem400 too bad about the desync

[@siemonjf]

+lulem400 it's real film young brother HD came about due to denigrated imagery in early digital,it is not automatically higher end than film

[@lulem400]

siemon j. franken That's interesting.

[@adrianscarecrowhernandez7702]

Watching Johnny Cash vids brought me here. I've always heard the name Tennessee Ernie Ford since I was a kid but I never heard him sing until now. Damn he has a GREAT voice! I'm going to look for more of his singing.

[@strings1586]

Everyone is talking about Ford's vocals, I'm just a bit sad that John Henry's story has been forgotten by a great many Americans.

[@Brenden_Simpson]

Not this one I'll play this and clear have some people listen to fine music.

[@NikkiSchumacherOfficial]

Makes me miss my late dad so much.

[@sargedirt]

hes got a wonderful voice

[@AnOmbreRose]

We watched the Tennessee Ernie Ford Show all the years it was on, when I was a kid. We all loved it.

[@Yoosef62]

When John Henry was a little baby No bigger than the palm of your hand His mommy looked down at little Johnny and said "My Johnny gonna be a steel drivin' man" Yes, Johnny gonna be a steel drivin' man John Henry was a steel drivin' man Drove steel all over the land "Before I let the steam hammer get me down I'm a-gonna die with my hammer in my hand" Die with my hammer in my hand John Henry went to the tunnel to drive Steam hammer by his side He beat the steam hammer to the top of the hill He laid down his hammer and he cried, "Lord!" Laid down his hammer and he cried John Henry had a lovin' little wife Her name was Polly Ann Johnny got sick and he had to go to bed Polly drove steel like a man Yes, Polly drove steel like a man They buried John Henry in the graveyard They laid him down in the sand Every time a freight train come puffin' by They say, "Yonder lies a steel drivin' man" Yonder lies a steel drivin' man

[@Will-W]

+yoosef p he skipped a couple verses.

[@marshastrickland9279]

Oh my goodness that was awesome

[@Timliu92]

I am not into this man's music, but that bass-baritone voice - what a singer! :)

[@TheDixieBassMan]

Timliu92 Ford was a Proper Bass Singer not just Bass baritone.I've got records where he gets down to B1 and one where He hits multiple EB2 like it's nothing.

[@taylorrmoriarty]

My professor in my music class showed me this!

[@slendergirl8304]

I love this song so much! My dad used to love him when he was a little boy. He showed him to me and I loved him the moment I heard him! He was amazing! We NEED more singers like him! But of course today's people would not appreciate them like we did back in the old days...

[@anotherone1080]

i can sing like that

[@slendergirl8304]

Good for u!! I know I can't lol

[@julieclifford7698]

Singing deep stories yet brings a sweet smile 💙💚💛🖤💖

[@MikeM-uz4yb]

Outstanding voice I always love to listen to him sing. My singing voice is the same -- it is deep as his was, but I always have trouble as most songs are not that easy to sing with a deep voice. But, he always did an amazing job when he did.

[@twilightblue8566]

Our family had several of Tennessee Ernie Ford's beautiful gospel albums. He had the perfect voice for that type of music.

[@marksowick5278]

So much of that song is simply his great voice

[@prof1292]

We need more men and women like John Henry today.

[@joshlewis8891]

Dying in pointless bouts to superior technology.

[@a.c.6475]

Josh Lewis -I think he's referencing his work ethic!

[@karenCrowder-eh8cv]

Wow, what a voice, I miss the old fashion singers. They sang to all of us.

[@cynthiafischer5006]

The greatest white Gospel singer ever. See "When they Ring Those Golden Bells."

[@monkeetime6695]

Elvis Then Ernie With all due respect to Ol' Rockin Ern

[@883mobelly]

Yep Ernie had a beautiful voice but ya gotta admit Elvis weren't no slouch when it came to singing gospel songs either...

[@chevy662]

what a manly voice hes coooooooooooooolll

[@davidmays1115]

One of the finest Christian men who ever lived. The finest male voice who ever lived.

[@petebiddle7900]

Talent like Col Ford no longer exists. I remember him in the 50's as a child

[@dukeman7595]

A steel driving "singer" fantastic voice.

[@RockySunshin8]

This episode came on TV the other day...I really like this version of this song! thanks!

[@HelamanGile]

Awesome song love the classics

[@anthonyiacobello8969]

What a great baritone.

[@sananton2821]

Bass. Come on.

[@MultiKamil97]

@@sananton2821 Bass-baritone fits him the best 😁

[@williambradfordbaldwin4386]

Woke up with this song in my head...cant beat Tennessees version...! :)

[@fromthesidelines]

This aired on Jack Benny's program in November 1961, shortly after Ernie ended his own "FORD SHOW".

[@MichelleReneeMusic]

Amazing mass of talent!!!! Love it! TY!

[@teresajarman2236]

One of my favorites... steel driving man... real men 💕🎶🎵🎼

[@brooke786546346]

love it oh yea!!!

[@emile235]

what an amazing song

[@leoh1191]

Just beautiful

[@charlespatton1566]

I was in the second grade in 1967 in Detroit. The teacher (Mrs. Jo) said: "Bring your favorite record to school." I brought Surfin' Bird. She played it. The class started dancing around the room and on their desks! Just like Charlie Brown Christmas! Teacher took the needle off the record. That's life, I guess...

[@SilverFang2789]

He has such amazing control of his voice its almost unreal

[@debbiebalnaves4842]

Film not video .. probably transferred to a video .. love his voice

[@beatlesenforcer]

Why can't we have this kind of music today?

[@cheyenne86]

great voice

[@dixieran2]

natural talent, don't need loud music to drowned out his singing.

[@martinbenedikt6438]

Wunderbar. Sehr schön.

[@emmagilliam7626]

I love it

[@lewisclark9158]

Love me Eirne Ford!!!

[@kayfullem4237]

Wow! PERFECT!

[@TommyGunProductio501]

I just saw this on Jack Benny last night.

[@dodiedear]

Love, love, love!!!

[@sharon74001]

Love this!

[@bobmusicz]

Love it

[@user-zb4vj2tl1k]

A beautiful song! Has anyone found the written lyrics of this version? If so, may he/she tell me where I could find it, please?

[@900milesfromnormal3]

We need more Tennessee Ernie Fords and fewer Justin Biebers

[@DoubleMrE]

He layed down his hammer and he cried “I’m gonna get me one of those steam drills.”

[@mathewmcgill6266]

There are a lot of different versions of this song. My mother use to play this song on a phonograph record when I was just a little kid. It better described John Henry in competition with this steam hammer which killed him after he beat the machine. It was one of my favorite songs.

[@theresap.3305]

He died of silicosis.

[@SylentEcho]

I misread the title and thought this was "John Hardy" famously sung by Mannfred Mann and Leadbelly. This song is great too!

[@Contakum]

Even in 2016 there is still such a thing as the pride of the American working class. I'm a liberal democrat in the United States that doesn't mind being "blue collar" as long as we can get a decent living for our family.

[@datdenverbroncosfan1799]

Contakum and I dont mind being a tennessee volunteer

[@mr.warmth1511]

berle ives does this well too

[@NotHarpoGroucho]

What type of working man is in the democratic party?

[@mjtechnoviking44]

Contakum “I’m a liberal democrat” I’m so sorry. Is it terminal? How long do you have left?

[@dalethebelldiver7740]

The greatest

[@richardnelson-ux1zz]

Great song 🎵 by Tennessee ernie ford

[@gabrielcunningham565]

This video makes want to sleep! But in a good way.

[@mcfrdmn]

Excellent performance

[@emilhawking8504]

Phantastisch 👍🏻 ♥️

[@mattyarrington1135]

Wow good singing

[@smirkingskeptic]

God, I'd give my left arm to have a voice like his.

[@TheBlueyedblond]

TEF, the best of the best.

[@dfkjhasdlfkjhsdjlkf]

Wow!

[@KangasKong9944]

Respectfully

[@bobmusicz]

This was from the Jack Benny Program . Low it!

[@jenniferwentland2650]

Bob B, I just watched this Jack Benny episode. I was laughing so hard I was crying.

[@candymountainforge]

yonder lies a steel drivin man

[@debrasparks880]

16 tons is a good song too that he sings. This comment was written by Gary

[@michaelburrows5323]

When I learned this song in elementary school I remember the line as "laid down his hammer and died" not "cried".

[@madtiger111]

@sargedirt Rich voice.

[@gingervytis]

Like a John Wayne movie, this is a classic song one simply does not do again... not after the extremely wonderful version by Johnny Cash.

[@curtlewis2795]

First of all, I believe you're talking about two different songs. This TEF song is The Ballad of John Henry while the Johnny Cash song to which you apparently refer is The Legend of John Henry's Hammer. Not the same song at all. And second of all, this TEF version is from 1961, about two years BEFORE Johnny Cash released his recording of Hammer.

[@unionrdr]

I wrote a kindle book about this true American tall tale here; www.amazon.com/dp/B01GBV3UXU His story was an oral tradition in my family down home in WV. & TN Ernie too!

[@roeroe305]

yup im right it was played by the London symphony orchestra

[@11vlyleven]

It's not complicated!

[@arthurwatt4144]

When I hear this song I think of the monk episode lol

[@BigMikeD10001]

good one

[@edithdavis2848]

Lip sysinc is off . one of the most beautiful voices of any era

[@mikelipp]

I wonder if the Chinese have their own version of song. After all, they laid a lot of track.

[@mattthericker]

Now they lay the touchscreen in new iPhones.

[@pokey-ee4cv]

you drive a steel in mining, not laying track. Learn some history.

[@tammycroft955]

pokey1984 Actually, at that time you did drive steel to lay track--you had to drive steel to cut tunnels and through 'cuts' i.e. cut through hills too low to cut tunnels through. You also had to drive steel to make the holes for laying dynamite. Now, of course, they drill holes to lay dynamite.

[@francoisjeancharles2829]

mikelipp i gave john henry chicken friedrice and no refund goodbye negro

[@NobodyOwens1]

When John Henry was a little baby, sittin' on his daddy's knee, he picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel and said googoogaga

[@roeroe305]

you guys know if you slow down the instrumental this is the opening song for the movie He got game. i think....? lol

[@rhainegraves7235]

ⁿⁿⁿWeⁿⁿ parallel ⁿⁿⁿyou•° at a level of basic surivival We thank you for your contribution to clear clean mental energy Peace is good Safe is good

[@interested239]

I see the ratings list 154 thumbs up and one person who obviously made a mistake.

[@Tirnel_S]

great job, but personally I prefer the smothers brothers version. when john henry was a little baby. sitting on his daddy's knees, he picked up a hammer and a little piece of steel and said Goo goo!

[@chaikagome9725]

When this film made?

[@doubleuplsst3149]

Some time in the late 50s maybe?

[@chaikagome9725]

@@doubleuplsst3149 thank you.