This afternoon I sat mulling over how to write a cheerful note to go out with my holiday cards to family and friends, but the following refrain came into my head, “Another year older and deeper in debt.” Now, that didn’t strike me as cheerful, and I’m not exactly a lover of Country music, so it seemed a bit odd, even for me.
My curiosity getting the best of me, I Googled “Sixteen Tons” and found it was first recorded in 1946—ironic note: 1946 is the year of my birth—by American Country singer Merle Travis. It was a song about the life of a coal miner. Tennessee Ernie Ford’s version reached number one in the Billboard charts in 1955.
“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.
According to Travis, the line from the chorus ‘another day older and deeper in debt’ was a phrase often used by his father, a coal miner himself. This and the line ‘I owe my soul to the company store’ is a reference to the truck system and to debt bondage. Under this system workers were not paid cash; rather they were paid with unexchangeable credit vouchers for goods at the company store, usually referred to as scrip. This made it impossible for workers to store up cash savings. Workers also usually lived in company-owned dormitories or houses, the rent for which was automatically deducted from their pay. In the United States the truck system and associated debt bondage persisted until the strikes of the newly-formed United Mine Workers and affiliated unions forced an end to such practices.
However, ‘Sixteen Tons’ is not simply sociology. While the chorus refers to the difficulties of life in coal camps, the verses depict a mythos of toughness in the face of adversity.”
Many of us have had a tough and debt-challenging year(s), haven’t we? Like the coal miners in the song, saving money has been impossible for folks who are struggling, and in some instances failing, to keep a roof over their heads and food on their family table.
Strength and perseverance are called for to get us through this difficult time. We’ve cut back, stretched our meager budgets, become resourceful and creative … but it’s also comforting to know “Someone’s got your back.” I’ve spoken to many who want to be able to hold onto hope that tomorrow will be better, but are afraid they’ll be disappointed.
Whether we believe in God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, the Universe, Goddess or something else, life is bleak if it doesn’t include faith and hope. So …
No newsy holiday chit-chat or photos this year.
I simply wish for you
STRENGTH and PERSEVERANCE,
LOVE and HOPE in abundance!
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1 comment:
Thank you, Kay. As usual, your blog is insightful, interesting and entertaining.
I would hazard a guess that your holiday hopes and wishes are more needed and more appreciated than the newsy holiday chit-chat ... for moi, at least. Of course, the photos would also be appreciated.
Sending my wishes of the same for you!
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