"SIXTEEN TONS" A song written by Merle Travis about a coal miner, based on life in mines in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded "Sixteen Tons" in 1955. With Ford's snapping fingers and a unique clarinet-driven pop arrangement, it quickly became a million seller. It hit Billboard's country music chart in November and held the No. 1 position for ten weeks, then crossed over and held the number 1 position on the pop music chart for eight weeks, besting the competing version b