Frankie Laine And The Four Lads - Sixteen Tons I Heard The Angels Singing

Saudade deste tempo !!

The old man,whas playing it all the time

That's a catchy tune - really like it. Would have missed it, when I wouldn't have watched a Tony Banks interview where he mentioned this song as one of his favs.

This,takes me back to the 1960s,wow,love you frank,? ?? Keith France,

Único, tremendo!!!

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 and a back that's strong

You load sixteen tons, and what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Say brother don't you call me 'cos I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one morning when 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'

I was born one morning it was drizzling rain
Fighting and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in cane-brake by an old mamma lion
Can't no high toned woman make me walk the line

If you see me coming better step aside
A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died
One fist of iron the other of steel
If the right one don't get you then the left one will

Doing my diligence, researching 16 tons....this is ?
Brother Tony

Australia's 166th number one hit along with a version by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Franks first recording of this song was Oh Lord , but dear old BBC banned it from air so he changed it to Oh Brother. How times have changed....

Awesome song?

Fantastisch, der große Frankie Laine.

Might be biased because I heard Ford’s version first, but I think his version resonates more with me. The lyrics are pretty bleak and Ford’s voice is more sorrowful, which complements it better. This version seems more jazzy and while it has a certain charm I don’t think it holds up as well.

Tennessee Ernie had the definitive version, but this is definitely a very fine runner-up.

Great guy...love him ?

Love this old songs

"Oh brother?" What happened to Saint Peter?

Una voz Inolvidable ...

I listened to this song a lot when i was 10 not dreaming i would work 33 years for Peabody Coal under ground mines

This song brings back memories of my childhood Sundays

Wow.

I seem to remember the battle in the MNE and Frankie can out top, fantastic. Donald

I am from Chile And all songs from Krankie were available , but out of the blues we did not herd any more from him.this was 1960.

I like Frankie Laine but I always preferred Tennessee Ernie's version.. However, I've recently heard Tom Jones' version, and it completely blows away all other versions I've ever heard. Had he been on the go and released it in the 50's the other versions would never have had a look in. It really is a tremendous, passionate version.

Why do singers not sing like this now

On the Empire Fowey about then, bound for Singapore with the Pay Corps (a few years after the Virgin Soldiers were there). Stayed in Nee Soon for three years, and served a total of thirty years, retiring in 1985. Loved the music of the 50s above all other decades.