Sixteen Tons
"Sixteen Tons" is a song written by Merle Travis about a coal miner, based on life in the mines of Rosewood, Kentucky. Travis first recorded the song at the Radio Recorders Studio B in Hollywood, California, on August 8, 1946. The song has been recorded by numerous artist including The Residents.
The Residents (and later, their lead singer Randy Rose) performed the song live as part of their "Sam" series of live performances, premiering it with a small orchestra at the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive on June 4th 2010. Later this evolved into Sam's Enchanted Evening featuring many of the same songs such as this one.
History
This song was originally chosen as the pseudo opener for So Long Sam with it being mixed with Sam's mom's favorite song, "September Song", ending with a reprise of the September song. Sam's Enchanted evening has a few songs before these two, but they follow largely the same structure as they did in the So Long Sam Performance. These songs set up the plot points revolving around his Mom and Dad and his relationship with them, but sadly, there is not much to say about this specific song other than that it's his daddy's favorite.
Lyrics
Some people say a man is made out of mud A poor man's made out of muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones A mind that's weak and a back that's strong You load 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
If you see me comin' better step aside A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died One fist of iron, and the other of steel The right one don't getcha, 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 Take take it away mack!
Oh it's a long, long while from May to December but the days grow short when you reach September When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame One I hasnt got time for waiting game
oh the days dwindle down to a precious few September, November, And these few precious days ill spend with you These precious days ill spend with you
List of releases
- So Long Sam (1945 - 2006) (2022) [1] [2]
- Sam's Enchanted Evening (2023) [3]
List of versions
- ↑ So Long Sam live recording, Berkeley Art Museum, June 4th 2010 (4:36)
- ↑ San Anselmo studio version, March 2010 (3:55)
- ↑ Sam's Enchanted Evening live recording, Cabaret at The Marsh, Berkeley, November 10th 2011 (4:34)