16 TONS - Mick Sumbling

Mick Sumbling - singer/songwriter from the Barcelona area - covers the Merle Travis song that was a huge Billboard hit for Tennessee Ernie Ford. Released in October, 1955 "Sixteen Tons" was the fastest selling single in the history of the record business, earning Ford the first Gold Record ever awarded by Capitol Records.

This version was recorded live as a demo at El Moll Studios, Sabadell.

"Well, 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 bone
A mind that's weak, a back that's strong, you load

Chorus:

Sixteen Tons and what do you get?
Another day over and I'm 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 morning the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and walked to the mine
I loaded Sixteen Tons of number 9 coal
And the straw-boss said, "Bless my soul, that's..." (Chorus)

Well, I was born one morning it was drizzling rain
Fightin' and Trouble are my middle name
I was raised in a canebrake by an old mama lion
Ain't no high-toned woman going to make me walk the line, you load... (Chorus)

So, if you see me coming, better step aside
A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died
With one fist of iron and the other of steel
And if the right one don't get you,
Then the left one will" (Chorus)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Travis
• Ford
• Kentucky
• miners
• Country
• Folk

[Fedyay1]

I enjoyed your version of this song very much. i am a miner from Ukrains Donbass

[micksumbling]

@Fedyay1

Spassiva! I'm really pleased to hear from a miner.

[joebleach]

25k.. wow! well done amigo

[micksumbling]

Thanks buddy, and thanks to everyone who has listened to, rated or commented on this version of 16 Tons.

[maraeincognitum]

BRAVO.Thanks from Moscow

[micksumbling]

Spasiva Bolshoia! Good to hear from you.

My regards to friends in Moscow.

[jordsams]

This may be, for whatever reason, my favourite song in the world. Thank you for an amazing and respectful version that makes me think about it afresh. Wow. Thanks so much.

[pixielamprey]

This is simply amazing. Way better than most covers I've head from this song. Great photos too! Thanks man!

[ernunnos]

Now that was some mighty fine a-pickin' and a-singin'.

[toogawnjawn]

My mother sang this to me when I wa a little boy, this is the most authentic, orginal visual effects that really refect the true meaning meant by the song and not the hollowood type spin on it. Thanks for keeping it real. No one could give more justice to this song than this.

[chris1978nl]

Your interpretation of this song is really great.

Best cover of this great song i have heard since long time.

Remembers me to my friend who is miner in Kurri Kurri Australia.

Greetz from Holland.

[AcePilot101]

This song was actually written by Merle Travis.

[TheWoogie2]

@NYCSubwayChicagoLFan Troll much? Go away Justin Bieber lover.

[Fedyay1]

I enjoyed your version of this song very much. i am amintr from Ukrains Donbass

[urbainvana]

Great! And a marvellous accompaniment! Maybe this version should be sung by a bass voice. Just because the performance of Tennessee Ernie Ford and other...

[NYCSubwayChicagoLFan]

This sucks. This guy cannot sing for shit.