Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

In keeping with the situation, here’s the great work song “Sixteen Tons” as recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford on Capitol Records in 1955:

 

Ernie’s great bass-baritone voice and the literally snappy arrangement really sell it!

 

The record was a huge hit, one of those cultural phenomena! As such, country music parodists par excellence Homer & Jethro took a swing at the song on and RCA Victor EP in 1956:

 

They are so clever and such good musicians that I think they’re underrated by even their fans!

 

Although “Sixteen Tons” sounds like an old folk song, it was actually written by the brilliant singer/guitarist Merle Travis. Here’s his original version from 1947 from his “Folk Songs from the Hills” album on Capitol Records:

 

As we enjoy the holiday, let’s not forget about all the hard-working men and women throughout our country’s history!