Heavily influenced by American rock & roll, Mitchell (who went solo in 1963) has often recorded outside France, at first in London, but later in Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. Guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer Bob Graham were among the British session musicians who regularly supported him in London.
16 Tonnes
Eddy Mitchell Lyrics
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Il est pour moi fait de chair et de sang
De muscles de fer et d'un coeur trop bon
Et de deux épaules pour charger le charbon.
T'en fais seize tonnes, ça te donne quoi ?
Un jour de plus vers quatre planches de bois.
La pelle chaque jour qui prend plus de poids.
Quand ta mère a déjà cinq gosses à nourrir
Un de plus n'est pas pour lui faire plaisir.
Alors toi, tu bosses comme un lion
Mais le chef a beau dire que t'es un champion.
T'en fais seize tonnes, ça te donne quoi ?
Un jour de plus vers quatre planches de bois.
La pelle chaque jour qui prend plus de poids.
Mais qui fera vivre la mine sans toi ?
Quand pendant toute la semaine, tu t'crèves en bas
L'dimanche enfin, tout le ciel est à toi.
Et dans tes draps blancs, dès ton réveil,
Les yeux de ta femme sont comme des soleils.
T'en fais seize tonnes, ça te donne quoi ?
Un jour enfin où tu peux croire à la joie.
La pelle chaque jour qui prend plus de poids.
Mais qui fera vivre la mine sans toi ?
T'en fais seize tonnes, ça te donne quoi ?
Un jour de plus vers quatre planches de bois.
La pelle chaque jour qui prend plus de poids.
Mais qui fera vivre la mine sans toi ?
The song "16 Tonnes" by Eddy Mitchell tells the story of a man who works in the coal mines, and how he views himself as a human being, despite others seeing him as just a piece of "mud". The man takes pride in being made of flesh and blood, with strong muscles and a big heart, and is able to carry the heavy load of coal on his shoulders. However, he also acknowledges the toll that this job takes on him - every day he adds more weight to the shovel, and the only reward for his hard work is another day closer to his death and burial in a wooden box. Despite this, he knows that his work is essential to keep the mine running and his family fed. He looks forward to the one day of the week when he can rest and spend time with his wife, who brings light into his life after days spent in darkness.
The lyrics of this song reflect the harsh reality of working in the coal mines, a dangerous and grueling job that required workers to spend long hours in dark and dusty conditions, facing the constant risk of injury or death. The singer of the song is a proud and resilient man who is able to find meaning in his work and joy in his loved ones, despite the many challenges he faces.
Line by Line Meaning
Si l'homme est de la boue pour des tas de gens
Some people may view humans as worthless, but to me they are made of flesh and blood, with strong muscles and a kind heart, and capable of carrying heavy loads.
Il est pour moi fait de chair et de sang
To me, humans are flesh-and-blood beings.
De muscles de fer et d'un coeur trop bon
They have strong muscles and kind hearts.
Et de deux épaules pour charger le charbon.
They have two shoulders capable of carrying heavy loads, like coal.
T'en fais seize tonnes, ça te donne quoi ?
If you can carry sixteen tons, what does it give you?
Un jour de plus vers quatre planches de bois.
Maybe just one more day closer to death and a coffin made of four planks of wood.
La pelle chaque jour qui prend plus de poids.
Every day, you shovel more and more weight.
Mais qui fera vivre la mine sans toi ?
But who will keep the mine running without you?
Quand ta mère a déjà cinq gosses à nourrir
When your mother already has five kids to feed,
Un de plus n'est pas pour lui faire plaisir.
One more mouth to feed is not going to make her happy.
Alors toi, tu bosses comme un lion
So you work like a lion.
Mais le chef a beau dire que t'es un champion.
But even though your boss may praise you as a champion,
Quand pendant toute la semaine, tu t'crèves en bas
When you work hard all week down in the mine,
L'dimanche enfin, tout le ciel est à toi.
Sunday finally arrives and the whole sky is yours.
Et dans tes draps blancs, dès ton réveil,
And when you wake up in your white sheets,
Les yeux de ta femme sont comme des soleils.
Your wife's eyes shine like the sun.
T'en fais seize tonnes, ça te donne quoi ?
If you can carry sixteen tons, what does it give you?
Un jour enfin où tu peux croire à la joie.
Finally, a day where you can believe in happiness.
T'en fais seize tonnes, ça te donne quoi ?
If you can carry sixteen tons, what does it give you?
Un jour de plus vers quatre planches de bois.
Maybe just one more day closer to death and a coffin made of four planks of wood.
La pelle chaque jour qui prend plus de poids.
Every day, you shovel more and more weight.
Mais qui fera vivre la mine sans toi ?
But who will keep the mine running without you?
Contributed by Aaliyah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.