Poetry Corner: Merle Travis/Tennessee Ernie Ford

While shoveling and moving dirt for a retaining wall at our cabin, and building a trail for marina access at Heron Lake this weekend, I couldn't help but think of the song written by Merle Travis and hugely popularized by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Even if I only moved a few tons...

"SIXTEEN TONS"

By Merle Travis

Some people say a man is made out of mud

A poor man's made out of muscle and blood

Muscle and blood, skin and bones...

A mind that's weak and a back that's strong

_________________

Chorus

You load sixteen tons, and what do you get?

another day older and deeper in debt

St. Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go

I owe my soul to the company store

__________________

I was born one mornin' and 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!"

.....you loaded...

(Chorus)

__________________

I was born one mornin' it was drizzlin' rain

fightin' and trouble are my middle name

I was raised in a cane-brake by an old mama lion

can't no high-toned woman make me walk no line

(Chorus)

__________________

If you see me comin', better step aside

A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died

One fist of iron, the other of steel

If the right one don't get you, then the left one will

(Chorus)

__________________

You load sixteen tons, and what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt

St. Peter don't you call me, 'cause I can't go

I owe my soul to the company store

"Sixteen Tons"/ Copyright / Merle's Girls Music ~ All Rights Reserved