Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#173578 02/15/08 11:21 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Sixteen Tons.

A song I used to sing a lot on my way to holiday jobs when I was sixteen. (never sweet)

I would like to find the original singer.
U-Tube gives Tennessee Ernie Ford and Johnny Cash.
But those are not the sounds I remember. Anyone who would know?


Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong

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

BranShea #173579 02/15/08 11:49 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Whether he was the original I wouldn't know but I do associate it with Ernie Ford from his TV show (AKA Tennessee Ernie, from the days when his show was sponsored by Chevy).

Faldage #173580 02/15/08 11:59 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
I was thinking of Frankie Laine, but this is the only thing I
can find associating him to that song. Yet it was I think his sound I remember. Utube:

Richie Milton " Sixteen Tons" by Merle Travis
Merle Travis (circa 1947) penned song "Sixteen tons" which I have always associated with the great Frankie Laine,but has also been recorded by numerous -

Another one with 'fabulous' lyrics was "Rock of Gibraltar" that was sung by Frankie Laine. I found the Lyrics. Pity it isn't on YouTube.

Last edited by BranShea; 02/15/08 12:35 PM.
BranShea #173581 02/15/08 03:21 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
B
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
B
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Ooo, Bran. I have an original recording in the stack of old 45s Let me go see if I can dig it out.

=======================

I'm back. The record I have is from Johnny Desmond, directed by Dick Jacobs. So no help from me at all, I guess, only adding one other name to the pile.

Last edited by belMarduk; 02/15/08 03:29 PM.
belMarduk #173582 02/15/08 03:44 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
wikiteen tons : Another competing version by Frankie Laine was released only in the UK where it gave Ford's version some stiff competition on the charts.

-joe (was there any doubt?) friday

tsuwm #173583 02/15/08 04:25 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Thanks anyway , Belle.
Yes, I had doubts about Frankie Laine. Ernie Ford's version, which I can get on YouTube is somewhat faster than I remember.
I must have had the Frankie Laine version.
I can't compare, cause the Frankie Laine version is not there.

BranShea #173584 02/15/08 04:35 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
man, there are a gazillion versions out there, including the "original" Merle Travis video.

also, here is British bluesman Richie Milton who recalls the Frankie Laine version. perhaps he performs it in Laine's style?

-joe (mule train/ghost riders) friday

tsuwm #173585 02/15/08 04:56 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
B
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
B
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
>>>man, there are a gazillion versions out there,

I notice that with a lot of old songs. It often happens that I'll be looking for a particular song, when I find it, it doesn't sound like what I remember. Further searching and I find other folks who've recorded the same thing.

I imagine it's like these days when every year or so, somebody will cover a song, and suddenly there's a new version floating around out there.

Try finding "Ooh child" on the net...there are something like 10 different versions.


EDIT: Typo

Last edited by belMarduk; 02/15/08 04:57 PM.
belMarduk #173586 02/15/08 05:22 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,295
>>>man, there are a gazillion versions out there,

Yes, I've tried whatever looked promising of those gazillions. The further the page the more rubbish. And I don't remember a guitar at all. Milton is too bluesish. I appreciate the effort, but the real thing is the real thing. There often are originals from oldies to be found, but maybe for this one I must look for downloads.

("Ooh child" , new to me, I'll have a look. Something old, something new.)

Last edited by BranShea; 02/15/08 05:24 PM.
belMarduk #173589 02/15/08 06:02 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
"Ooh child" Cat Stevens?

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5