Laine Frankie
Laine Frankie Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

You load sixteen tons and what do ya 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

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up a shovel and walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number 9 coal
And the store boss said, "Well, a-bless my soul"

You load sixteen tons and what do ya 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

If you see me comin', 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 getcha, then the left one will

Sixteen tons and what do ya 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

I was born one mornin' and it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in a canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Can't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line

You load sixteen tons and what do ya 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

Overall Meaning

"Laine Frankie" is a cover of the classic American folk song "Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford. The lyrics describe the struggles of the working class, particularly those in the coal mining industry, who are trapped in a cycle of debt to the company store. The song suggests that in this system, even a strong work ethic is not enough to escape the crushing burden of indebtedness.

The opening lines of the song establish the central metaphor of the song - that a man is made out of mud, but is also a combination of muscle and blood, skin and bones, and a weak mind and strong back. The lyrics capture the physical and mental toll that the work takes on the miners, who are forced to do hard labor for long hours in dangerous conditions. The repetition of the line "sixteen tons and what do ya get?" underscores the sense of futility and hopelessness that pervades the lyrics.

The song's references to Saint Peter and the company store suggest that the workers are trapped not only in a cycle of debt, but also in a religious or moral system that reinforces their powerlessness. The use of violence as a means of survival, as described in the lines "If you see me comin', 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 getcha, then the left one will," is a reminder that for many workers, physical strength and brutality are necessary for survival in a system that is rigged against them.

Overall, "Laine Frankie" is a powerful critique of a system that exploits and oppresses the working class, and a testament to the strength and resilience of those who continue to fight for justice and equality.

Line by Line Meaning

Some people say a man is made outta' mud
There is a belief that a man is not much more than soil.

A poor man's made outta' muscle and blood
A person who lacks wealth is simply made from their own physical strength and life force.

A muscle and blood, skin and bones
The main constituents of a person are flesh, blood, and bones.

A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
While a person may not have much intellectual capacity, they have ample physical strength.

You load sixteen tons and what do ya get?
After breaking one's back for hours, what is the benefit?

Another day older and deeper in debt
Each passing day merely makes the situation hopeless, adding to the amount owed.

Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I'm in no position to face judgment because I'm still stuck in this cycle of debt and toil.

I owe my soul to the company store
I owe everything I have to my employer, down to my very soul.

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I was born into a life of misery when everything seemed bleak and hopeless.

I picked up a shovel and walked to the mine
I didn't have a choice but to pick up my tools and get to work.

I loaded sixteen tons of number 9 coal
I toiled tirelessly to extract large amounts of dark, heavy coal from the earth.

And the store boss said, "Well, a-bless my soul"
My employer was pleased with my hard work, but it didn't make my situation any better.

If you see me comin', better step aside
Don't mess with me because I've been through so much strife.

A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died
I've seen many people who didn't respect me, and many of them lost their lives as a result.

One fist of iron, the other of steel
I pack power and force in both my hands, ready to take on any challenge.

If the right one don't getcha, then the left one will
You can't run from me because I'll keep coming until one punch or the other finally hits you.

I was born one mornin' and it was drizzlin' rain
I entered the world during the bleakest of times, in the gloomy, damp rain.

Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
I'm not afraid to get into fights or cause some trouble when necessary.

I was raised in a canebrake by an ol' mama lion
I was brought up in a tough and dangerous environment by a fierce and protective mother.

Can't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line
No upper-class lady could ever have any kind of control over me or my actions.

You load sixteen tons and what do ya get?
Once again, after all that hard labor, the only thing one gets is closer to death.

Another day older and deeper in debt
The debt has only gotten larger and seems impossible to ever fully pay off.

Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I'm far from being a candidate for heavenly redemption; I'm still struggling to just survive.

I owe my soul to the company store
All that work, sweat and blood, and I'm only ever going to be fully indebted to my employer.

Contributed by Jayden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@zaax4532

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

All comments from YouTube:

@barbaranytko1400

7y↑11

Frankie Line was an international star. Lookl him up on PBS at the age of 92. Still a strong voice.I Saw him in person at about the age of 13 in Chicago. Let's not argue let's just enjoy the old movies , songs, lyrics and actors and enjoy the memories especially for us in the older generations.

@barbaranytko1400

Laine "edited"

@patrickcorey8124

Oh yeah you are right, I agree with you. Everything about him is special and excellent. Hello 👋how is the pandemic going over there? I'm delighted to meet you here. Where originally are you watching from? I'm Patrick from NY USA

@keithwright4921

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

@dimges

15y↑1

nice clip, world HIT with great history, beginning with Merle Travis1946, 'Tennessee' Ernie Ford 1955, later Franki Laine with his version, The Platters in 1957, Tom Jones in 1967 and many other...

@Cleareye10

13y↑2

Very cool. I've been a Frankie Laine fan since the 40s and did not know he recorded this.

@ursmue1937

4y↑1

Fantastisch, der große Frankie Laine.

@terencedumpleton2820

6y↑1

My dad was a Coleman when this song was out.. So him and his mate carried 16 ton on his back in one day .. That's when men were men 👍🏼love and miss you DAD ☘❤️

@akytilop

13y↑2

I was born into a family of Pennsylvania coalminers and this song is our anthem. I never hear this version until now.

@petereuropa

14y↑1

Now I don't miss it. Now I listen to this great voice and to this great song that shows the hard working people building the tracks across the USA and in other countries around the world. Thank's a lot!

@pablomartin5736

5y↑11

This song brings back memories of my childhood Sundays

@critney_

1y↑1

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.

@ernieb4457

16y↑2

Sixteen Tons and Mule Train are the only 2 songs where I will rate somebody above Frankie.The background rhythm on TEF's Mule Train has been a BIG favourite of mine from being a youngster, it gave me the impression it was recorded in a tunnel, the echo-y sound in the background.Cheers to all FL fans, Ernie,Merseyside

@dawncorradini258

6y↑4

This was played at my hubbys funeral .He loved Frankie lane

@Kelly-nm4kw

Hello Dawn, How are you doing?

@patrickcorey8124

Oh really, I really love this song. How is the pandemic going over there? I'm delighted to meet you here. Where originally are you watching from? I'm Patrick from NY USA

@dtxchile

5y↑5

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.

@nodoubtsafetyservices2253

3y↑1

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

@Terry5135

15y↑1

Oh man, you're breakin' my heart! So true! No one learns and it's like everyone can't wait to bring on those sorrowful times again. It's like no one ever learns what the rich are like.

@acla9000

15y↑1

I knew the Tennessee Ernie Ford version which was really delightful, but this one by Frankie is also great! Thanks for posting!!

@markalson1938

15y↑10

Times change, back in the 50's and before if a song was on the way to being a hit, every record company would put out there own record of it. That why there was many hits of the same song. Frankie recorded this before ernie's was such a big hit. But before it hit the market the record was a blockbuster. So Columbia pulled it back and only put it out in the UK where Ernie wasn't well known and Frankie's version was a top 10 recording.

@saccoearth007

Awesome song👍

@treesaw54

I am so happy I was able to make a Western Ballads file. Love Johnny Western and Frankie Laine

@theaaadddiii

12y↑1

I just LOVE this song !!!!! keep singing it all day

@dabreu

13y↑1

Well, I live in Brazil and have heard this version. As a matter of fact, I got it. It came out in an lp with several Frankie's hits like Granada, My Little one etc. My older sister bought it around 59.

@Kelly-nm4kw

Hello Virginia, How are you doing?

@user-rp3cg3gx4n

אין היום שירים בביצועים כאלה מדהים

@markalson1938

15y↑2

The two songs were In 1949 "Mule Train" Frankie's was #1 on the charts. Ernie's was #9 In 1950 "Cry Of The Wild Goose" Frankie's #1 Ernie's #15. Ernie was well known before "Sixteen Tons". He had several Top 40 hits plus an Afternoon TV show. But with "Sixteen Tons" his popularity grew. He got a Weekly TV evening show that ran for 10 years. But he never had another recording that came close to what "Tons" did. His last Top Forty hit was in 1957 with "In The Middle Of An Island" At #23.

@anthonyhollis100

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.

@DavidPatersonPortraits

6y↑1

Merle Travis wrote the song and recorded it in Hollywood Aug 1948. The line, "You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt," came from a letter written by Travis' brother John.Another line came from their father, a coal miner, who would say, "I can't afford to die. I owe my soul to the company store."

@armyoldsweat

10y↑2

Good grief what a reminder of a wonderful memory. Thirty army squaddies coming home from the far east on troop ship singing our ruddy heads off! Many, many, thanks.

@markalson1938

10y

Troop ships, I remember those, I rode on one three times.

@BernardIngram

10y

Wasn't the Oxfordshire was it? or Dilwara? or Nevassa? I've been on those to Malaya and back and round the med.

@siklingman

13y

good song, great video presentation , bring back a lot of childhood memories ------ in HongKong.....................

@annaperez4771

Il grande Frankie, amico della nostra gioventù, ti ricordo con nostalgia ed affetto.

@plankgate

10y↑8

great song from frankie

@rubewaddell1704

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

@bulendhatipoglu5741

10y↑14

This song reminded the last tragedy in Soma-Turkey which resulted in 301(official) deaths.Faith of miners is the same all over the World.

@markalson1938

10y↑8

being a miner is one of the worse jobs there is. Back in 1960 I was out of the army after three years. In Ohio there just wasn't any jobs open at that time. I went to Morgantown WVA where I friend of mine lived and there I tried to get a job in the coalmines, I would do most anything to keep from going back in the army. Thank goodness they didn't take me, so I spent the next 20 years in the army and retired as a 1st SGT. I guess I did alright.

@darrenwilson1576

7y↑2

Mark Gallagher you got lucky friend

@MemphisDave1958

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....

@keithwright4921

The old man,whas playing it all the time

@petereuropa

14y

Frankie Lane had a fantastic voice! I miss one song from my childhood: Terrier song. He was one of the hard guys (= his voice, tough but soft).This, his version, is very nice.

@soulman4692

10y↑5

Great cover of the original !!!

@markalson1938

13y↑2

@MaryNGG I'm glad you enjoyed my web page, when I made it there was very little on frankie except for sites selling his records. Even Frankie's own site does not list his recordings and what they list for hits is only a partial and it is wrong. I two collect diferent versions of songs as you can see on YT i have several versions of the same song listed. But only songs I like Like this one.

@Etnalleb

15y

agreed 'Mule Train' was owned by Laine as was "Cry of the Wild Goose" Laine also made it big with "Rawhide" and countless other western songs in which he was untouchable ,Laine was the best there was no doubt about it. As for T.E.Ford half the people didn't know who he was until he came out with '16 Tons" that made him a superstar in his day.

@donburge5947

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

@OldiesAl

Frankie reached #10 in the UK, Ernie achieved his second #1 in the UK with this after 'Give Me Your Word'

@suadbajramovic9203

the best interpretator....

@lindastockton3920

Love this old songs

@MaryNGG

13y

Lately I've been having fun finding different versions of songs I like, and that led me to this video and then your channel. I visited your website, and it makes me very glad there are people like you who have this music and take the time to share it. I enjoyed your opinion page on your website...that was a good idea.

@armyoldsweat

12y

Never heard of it Mark!! You must be joking. Great memories for me as a young soldier when a whole crowd of us used to sing it together in the barracks Sunday night 11pm with all the actions lisitening to it on Radio Luxemburg.

@zerstorer335

14y

I agree. It's the difference between (here) telling someone he can't do something because of his debt and (in other versions) saying to St. Peter he can't even DIE because of what he owes to "the company store".

@lintym

How can I at 73 know all the words? Brilliant.

@giovannisaba28

una vecchia canzone ma sempre bella è un piacere riascoltarla

@zalinahosein4498

Great guy...love him 😊

@SpecterTracy

13y

I know this recording well, my granfather loves Frankie Laine. I know many of Mr. Laine's recordings well.

@jakevanderbeck3355

Awesome beyond reason!

@joaomaria9995

Saudade deste tempo !!

@johnjurkewicz9925

I love to listening to and I love it

@ramirez7398

Una voz Inolvidable ...

@miaensumundo

Único, tremendo!!!

@armyoldsweat

10y↑2

Ey-up Mark my friend. No, it was the Empire Orwell. We went out on the Dilwara. Just think about it, young UK squaddies on global cruises all at HM expense. People pay thousands of £'s for the same service today.

@ANTISINKING

12y

Frankie is definatelly the best

@ray1965ify

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

@highnrising

15y

This song was written by Merle Travis--a country picker who was a long-time compadre of TEF. So certainly Ernie was going to be the one to popularize it.

@markalson1938

13y↑1

@78smusicman Yes he did, this version was only put out in England where it was a top ten hit. In the States he recorded the more up tempo version on an album called "The Balledteer" in 1959. I think this the single was better but I think Columbia didn't want it to go against Tenn. Ernia Ford's which was already a Big Hit in the U.S.

@froggy2632

5y↑1

Wow.

@Kelly-nm4kw

Hello Diana, How are you doing?

@kabeja61

15y

powerful song.

@markalson1938

12y

Everyone knows that Frankie iwas an American, but he was an International Singing star. His records sold millions all over the world. He had hits in many places on songs that wasn't a hit here. This is one of them. When he recorded this for Columbia, Tenn Ernie Ford already had a hugh hit with this song, so they only put it out in The UK where it was a top 10 song over there.

@philipnorris6542

4y↑1

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

@gynack

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.

@Mr24AB

9y↑16

Another day older and deeper in debt.

@Lwyse96

11y

Reached #10 in the U.K. Charts, and was infact the only version which made the Irish Best Seller's List in 1956, as Ernie Ford's version didn't make it.

@fahrettinsepetcioglu9581

wonderfull

@markalson1938

15y

But Merle wrote the song 9 years before Ford recorded it. He wasn't even planning to record it in 1955. But he was performing at a State Fair that year and happen to sing that song. He got such a big reaction from the crowd on it that his record Co desided to put it out on the "B" side of a record. I don't think anyone can remember what the "A" side was supose to be. By the end of the year he had sold well over 2 million copies.

@markalson1938

11y↑3

In a few cases they were rivals. Back in 1949-50 they both record "Mule Train" and "Cry Of The Wild Goose" Frankie won out both times. Frankie did not compeat with Ford in the States with "Sixteen Tons" because Frankie's version only came out in England. There Ford had the #1 hit while Frankie's was at #10 so Ford won there. Frankie later put a version of the song on an Album, but it wasn't as good. This is the version he did for England.

@jasonpaul437

raw hide

@dawnstanley1733

I love anything he sings.

@BeingRomans829ed

8y↑6

Now, go listen to him sing "Rawhide". 8-)

@fredrickaappletree3402

7y↑1

Feel sorry for the poor horses that worked in the mines....... and the humans.

@jeffreywatts9461

12y

what a great singer.having trouble getting his c.d s tho

@zaax4532

@markalson1938

12y

I'm really not sure what you mean by "Never heard of it Mark!! You must be joking". If your talking about my intro to this clip, I said you might not have heard Frankie's recording of this song except if you lived in the UK, which I think you do. Because it was not released in the States only in the UK. Afew years later a different version of the song was put on one of Frankie's LP's but it wasn't as good. Ernie Ford had already had a big hit with this is why Columbia next it here.

@acla9000

15y

!Sí, puede estar seguro! / Yes, you can be sure!

@Etnalleb

15y

You may very well be right about Laine recording this before T.E.F then it was his record company that screwed up by not releasing it in the USA allowing T.E.F'ds version to come out . All in All i think Ford was tailor made for this song he had the deep bass and it was perfect for the song where as Laine a Tenor didn't quite sound as good for this particular song although he did a great job on it.

@Mr24AB

10y↑7

Deeper in debt.

@markalson1938

10y↑4

It seems to happen to all of us, we just seems no matter how hard we try, we just keep getting deeper in dept.

@Mr24AB

10y↑3

That is the problem deeper in debt, only when we act change can come and only a fool wants to stay on minus income.

@norbertpecheq3427

11y

Ussually is not the other versions better,but this one?I couldn´t definitelly say...

@markalson1938

11y

I never understood why Columbia did not put it out in the US market? Frankie went up against Ford on two different songs and beat him both times. He had a version of the song on his "Balladeer" album, but it had a different arrangement and was not as good as the single in Europe .

@markalson1938

12y

Look on Amazon they have many of his CD's plus LP's

@rockape560

13y

tennesse had a deper voice but frankie was suited to the record albums its all down to who yoo think is the best

@karritolvanen741

10y↑2

"when i go to work"... i can hear this song ;(
;) but i must go´n´go´n....

@markalson1938

10y↑1

I know how you feel, before I retired I thought the same thing. They say if you love your work you will never work a day in your life. Well how many of us love what we do for a pay check? I don't miss it at all.

@pragueuprising560

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.

@armyoldsweat

12y

Sorry Mark if I caused offence. You'll have to forgive an old fella's tongue in cheek sense of humour. Almost everyone of my generation remembers Frankie and his songs. Such artists of a bygone age bring back many happy memories to we older folk thanks to you and others. Equally enjoyable, occasional interaction with others.

@janetball4686

Why do singers not sing like this now

@TheLang0lier

13y

I always smile when I hear other singers tring to make their own cover of this song. The original by Merle Travis is also uncomparable to Frankies version. I really can not understand how can people like Eranie Ford's version more when it's so much weaker. And a fact i found out now by you that the song was not released in the states. The only way I can resolve this mystery is that Frakie sings the song with much meaner voice and this is a song which was not comfortable for the gov.of that time

@markalson1938

14y

@petereuropa So you miss the "Tarrier Song" from your youth? or what the true title of this old folk song was "Drill Ye Tarroers, Drill" well I just added it to You Tube Hope it;s as good as you remember it.

@markalson1938

12y

No offence taken and I think I'm from your generation also. I agree that the bygone age was a lot better that what goes for music today. But there is nothing we can do about it, thank God for You-Tube which isn't just for the young.

@markalson1938

16y↑1

Frankie's singles version was good, but I think this one of two songs that someone else did better than he did. That's the reason I think Columbia never issued it. The other song was "The Wayward Wind" Both Gogi's and Tex Ridder's version was better than his.

@NewAthensDemocracy

13y↑2

In my country, you have to pay taxes to work, to buy cloathes or food. You have to pay taxes to own property. If you dont pay up you ultimately get jailed. We haven't come very far

@markalson1938

15y

No Ford did record it first and at the first sign that it was going to be a hit, Columbia rushed Frankie into the studio for his cover. But before it went on the market Ford's was such a big hit they desided not to compete. Yes Ford did do a better job on it. But Ford went head to head with Frankie on two other songs and lost by wide margins.

@markalson1938

13y

@Cleareye10 Else you lived in the U.K. not many knew of this recording. He recorded it for Columbia in 1956 but for some reason only issued in England. There it was a top 10 hit. He also made another recording of it in 1959 for an album but I don't think that version was as good.

@ciroalb3

16y

it takes guts to do a song that another singer owns. This song just swept the nation when EF did it, but I think Laine's version is just as good.

@highnrising

16y

Excellent version, but you can't say it beats Ernie's. TEF's "16 Tons" is an iconic piece of Americana, up there with Bing's "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" and Robeson's "Ol' Man River." I see Frankie changed "St. Peter don't you call me" to "Oh brother don't you call me"--just like on "Road to Mandalay" he changed "where there are no Ten Commandments" to "where there are no regulations". Sounds like he was being pc--by not being irreverent. The modifications weaken the lyrics in both cases.

@markalson1938

13y

@akytilop Not many Americans would have heard this version as it was never put out in the U.S., only in Europe. It did apear on an LP inan uptempo version that wasn't as good.

@rowley1950

This aint a bad cover version by Frankie, but not as good as the original by ZZ Top is it?

@Music-yq2yz

Merle Travis.

@melbea03

10y↑3

brother don't call me??

@Etnalleb

15y

Frankie Laine the Greatest Singer of Western Songs Ever but this one belongs to T.E.Ford, Just like RawHide and OK Corral belong to Laine.Like ciroalb3 said it takes guts to sing a song owned by another singer and Laine had plenty of guts and did the song good.