Sixteen Tons

The song 'Sixteen Tons' performed by The Platters, originally written and recorded by Merle Travis in 1946, is a powerful portrayal of the life of a coal miner. The lyrics delve into the hardships and exploitation faced by workers in the mining industry. The opening lines set the tone, suggesting that a man's worth is measured by his physical strength and ability to endure hard labor. The song's chorus is a lament about the never-ending cycle of work and debt that these laborers experience.

The refrain 'You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt' encapsulates the futility of the miner's toil. The mention of Saint Peter and the inability to go to him because of the debt to the company store is a metaphor for the inescapable trap of economic servitude that the miners find themselves in. The company store, where miners had to buy their supplies, often on credit, symbolizes the control that the mining companies had over their workers' lives.

The song also touches on themes of resilience and toughness, as evidenced by the lines 'If you see me coming, you better step aside, a lot of men didn't and a lot of men died.' This suggests that the miner has become hardened by his experiences. The mention of fists of iron and steel further emphasizes the physical and mental fortitude required to survive in such a harsh environment. Overall, 'Sixteen Tons' is a poignant reflection on the exploitation of laborers and the human cost of industrial progress.