Sixteen Tons:Homer And Jethro.
On RCA Records in 1955.
INTRO: G Gb Db Gbm D
#1.
Db Gbm D Db
Some people say a man is made outta dirt,
Gbm D Db
bow-legged britches and a humpbacked shirt.
Gbm D Bm
Every man has his woman to make him tick,
Gbm Db Gbm
but only the miner has his pick.
#2.
Gbm D Db
You load sixteen tons, how do you feel?
Gbm D Db
Too tired to work, too scared to steal.
Gbm Bm
Saint Peter, don't you holler for me today,
Db Fm Gbm
cause I'm a-diggin' the other way.
INTERLUDE: Db Gb Gbm D
#3.
Gbm D Db
Uncle John was a miner, he was long and tall.
Gbm D Db
Chasin' after women made him end it all.
Gbm Bm
He could never catch 'em, though he tried,
Db Fm Gbm
so, old Uncle John laid down and died.
CHORUS:
Gbm D Db Gbm D Db Gbm
Sixteen tons......sixteen tons.......sixteen
D Bm Gbm Db
tons................
#4.
Gbm D Db
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine.
Gbm D Db
I remember my mama was a-gone at the time.
Gbm Bm
The doctor looked down, and he said, oh, my!
Db Fm Gbm
I wonder whether he's gonna walk or fly.
CHORUS:
Gbm D Db Gbm D Db Gbm
Sixteen tons......sixteen tons.......sixteen
D Bm Gbm Db
tons................
#5.
Gbm D Db
Well, I've shoveled this coal til my back is bent.
Gbm D Db
My get-up-and-go has got up and went.
Gbm Bm
My wife ran away with my friend Jim.
Gbm Db Gbm
I don't miss her but I do miss him.
OUTRO:
Gbm D Db
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Gbm D Db
Slag in your pants and soaked with sweat.
Gbm Bm
Tennessee Ernie done made this song,
Gbm Db Gbm
but the pea-picker sung the words all wrong.
A fifties smash from Kraziekhat.
