Formed in 1972, the Nighthawks underwent several personnel changes before stabilizing the lineup of Mark Wenner (harmonica), Jimmy Thackery (lead guitar), Jan Zukowski (bass guitar), and Pete Ragusa (drums). Keyboard player Greg Wetzel joined the band in 1983 and has continued to play at special performances as an "alumni" of the band.
The membership of the band remained relatively stable until 1987. At that time, tired of the band's extensive touring schedule, Thackery (lead guitar) departed. Following his departure, several players temporarily filled the lead guitar spot. These included Danny Morris and Pete Kanaras.
In 2003, the band featured in the first episode of the second season of The Wire with "Sixteen Tons".
Kanaras (lead guitar) and Zukowski (bass guitar) departed the band in 2004. They were replaced by DC musicians Paul Bell (lead guitar) and Johnny Castle (bass guitar)
#2 The Nighthawks were an American rock & roll band from Amarillo, Texas with Eddie Reeves (rhythm guitar & vocals); Bob Venable (lead guitar); John Thompson (bass); Mike Hinton (drums).
Sixteen Tons
The Nighthawks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 was born one mornin' 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, a-bless my soul"
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
I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Cain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line
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
If you see me comin', better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you, then the left one will
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
The song "Sixteen Tons" by The Nighthawks is a cover of the original song performed by Tennessee Ernie Ford. The song tells the story of a coal miner who works hard every day to load sixteen tons of coal to earn a living but still finds himself deep in debt. The lyrics convey the struggle and burden of the working class in the mid-20th century.
The opening lines "Some people say a man is made outta mud, a poor man's made outta muscle and blood" sets the tone for the rest of the song. The miner's body is worn out from hard labor, but he has a strong will and determination to keep going. The phrase "I owe my soul to the company store" emphasizes the extent of the miner's debt and how the company has control over his life.
In the third verse, the miner talks about his rough upbringing and how he is not to be messed with: "If you see me comin', better step aside, a lotta men didn't, a lotta men died." This line shows that the miner has had to fight for everything he has, including his job and his life.
Overall, "Sixteen Tons" is a powerful commentary on the struggles and hardships of the working class during a time of economic turmoil and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people say a man is made outta mud
There are those who believe a man is merely dirt and nothing more
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Those with little money are comprised of physical strength and vitality
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
Human beings are made up of muscle tissue, blood vessels, skin, and skeletal structure
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
Despite lacking in intellectual capacity, this individual possesses a physically capable body
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Doing the arduous task of moving a heavy load yields very little compensation
Another day older and deeper in debt
As each day passes, the person becomes more financially indebted
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
The person is not ready to die and go to the afterlife, but they are so indebted that their soul belongs to their company
I owe my soul to the company store
The person's existence is indebted to their company's resources
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
The singer's birth was accompanied by adverse weather
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
As a child, the person was already familiar with hard physical labor in a mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
The person spent their day moving a substantial amount of coal (16 tons)
And the straw boss said 'Well, a-bless my soul'
The straw boss acknowledged the person's hard work, but it meant little in terms of compensation
If you see me comin', better step aside
The person has become tough and intimidating due to their harsh life in the mines
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
Many people have been injured, or even killed, by crossing this person
One fist of iron, the other of steel
The person isn't one to mess with, and any attempt to do so would be met with the full strength of their arms
If the right one don't a-get you, then the left one will
Both fists are capable of causing severe damage or harm to any who would try to stand against this person
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Merle Travis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kyle Owens
on Moving Up In Class
In the lyric line, "When I asked you out to dinner babe, you brought along Goodtime Slim,", that should I believe be "D-town Slim" (ie signifying Detroit)
Kyle Owens
on Moving Up In Class
Rather, I believe that chorus part should read :
'Cause you were dirty dealing mama and you're,
No, never dragging me down;
Kyle Owens
on Moving Up In Class
Moving Up in Class by The Nighthawks
I used to love you every morning babe and kiss you through the night,
I used to whisper in your ear that everything will be alright;
But now you're running loose, with a friend of mine in town,
I've got to let you go babe y'know I've got to put you down;
[Chorus} I'm moving up,
I'm moving up in class this time around,
'Cause you were dirty dealing mama and you...
You're never dragging me down;
You're too funky honey!
You cuss just like a sailor babae, you eat just like a hog,
'Treat you daddy low down and dirty, just like a no-good dog;
When I asked you out to dinner babe, you brought along Goodtime Slim,
He don't give you no money honey, but I KNOW what you're giving him;
[chorus}
Well I give you all my money babe, but you stay out late at night,
You come home nuggie-dirty, all you ever do is fuss and fight;
But I'm gonna leave you babe, I'm gonna leave you far behind,
Where there ain't no where to go but up in class, I tell you I ain't lyin';
[chorus]