Company store was a general store that the miners shopped at, usually exclusively. They'd give you credit so you were usually always in debt. That's why he owed his soul to the company store.
A little more to that. The store was owned by the coal company. A significant amount of their pay was with script that was only accepted at the company store. The store would then charge exorbitant prices for goods and food. Thus the debt would never end.
@@jamescox9427 to add even more the term Redneck came from the red handkerchief some of them wore around their necks. They ended up fighting with the *us army* because they wanted to be paid in US dollars rather than company script. There's a little more to it but that's the jest of it.
There's an old B&W video of Tennessee Ernie Ford singing "Children Go Where I Send Thee" in the company of a bunch of children. It's a must-see. Not just because his performance is outstanding but one of the children makes it utterly hilarious. BTW, there are still jobs that compel employees to 'owe their soul to the company store' (esp. migrant workers).
Ernie Ford had an awesome baritone ..The song is basically story telling with a form of rap and reciting by the way the lyrics are structured that was being used in many of the old western swing and country songs back in the 40s 50s and 60s ..
This song fits my Grandfather totally. As a little kid my Grandmother would take care of us while my Mom was at work and Grandpa would come home from the deep mines after dark, wash all the coal dirt and dust off of him, eat supper, go to bed and do it all over again. On his day off he would go to the bar and get into a bar room fight. He was well known for winning most of his fights. He had one fist of iron and the other of steel. He died of black lung right after retiring so he lived and died the life of a deep mine coal miner. RIP Grandpa!
When I was really little, my grandfather would sing this to me to get me to sleep when I'd stay with them. I had no idea that it was actually a popular song or who it was until high school. Our Choir sang it at an assembly. I was shocked that anyone else had ever even heard it before. I still hold it in my heart, it's something I have never forgot. Grandfathers are special.
@@bettyrose959 My grandfather would hold me on his lap and tell me the Hey Johnny Bull story. "Hey Johnny Bull! How you doing down there? Hey Johnny Bull how ya doing down there?...COLD WET AND WEARY!....Now I'm gonna getcha!!!!"
I listen to TEF when I want to have a good time. His music is so FUN! I can help but move and dance to the songs just because of the music. Another person I love for this is Roger Miller. His songs are a blast!
Coal mines often paid the miners in scrip that could only be used in company stores. That process tied the miners to the company because they never really received any pay. The coal companies just took it back in rent of company owned homes and scrip used to purchase supplies from the company store.
It's about time you reacted to this one. Speaking of long overdue, another powerful voice you reacted to 2 years ago was "War" by Edwin Starr. Another JBF selection of Edwin is "25 miles to go". Don't wait another 2 years!
aye Stan, ...excellent song, lyrics and delivery... it gets really tough when he speaks about how he deals with men standing in his way, for our sensitive, considerate tempers today, but hey: when you have to survive every single day, and your motto has to be 'get stronger or die', that is what happens... or at least, can happen easily...
If you've ever watched "I Love Lucy"-he played Uncle Ernie on a couple of episodes-coming from Tennesee of course. other hirs Mule Train, Ive got to feed them in the morning change em in the evening blues, Shotgun Boogie, Blackberry Boogie and Anticipation Blues to start.
I remember when this song first came out. Yep, I'm that old lol. It was an era when crossovers were rare. This was TEF's foray into Spiritual with a Jazz feel and it made me take notice and stop to listen to it. Peggy Lee did almost the same kind of transition to jazz style trio with with her hit single "Fever."
TEF released this in 1955, and I grew up in KY in the 60s and 70s hearing this replayed over and over on little AM country radio stations. Eastern KY was coal country (even though the song was inspired by mining in the western end of the state, Muilenberg County, where its original singer, songwriter Merle Travis grew up). It was an anthem for my Pa-paw (grandpa) and his generation.
If you were raised religious and like gospel music, Tennessee Ernie Ford has quite a catalog to explore. I had a Christmas album by him when I was a child and it was all religious songs not any Santa or Reindeer songs.
Fun review of a great song, and a great presentation. Let's give some credit to the songwriter and guitar innovator, Merle Travis, who after Tennesee Ernie Ford had a smash hit with the tune altered the lyrics slighty when playing it live to, "I owe my soul.....to Tennesse Ernie Ford!". Travis wrote many great songs and his "Dark as a Dungeon", was another tune with coal mining as the subject. "Travis Picking" was the name given to the guitar style Merle adapted from early blues players.
You should check out an updated version of this, by Geoff Castellucci. He's the bass singer for the acapella group VoicePlay, but also releases instrumental-accompanied songs on his own videos. Now with this TEF version as a reference, Geoff's version is a great cover of a classic!
Please react to Ben E. King Stand By Me Clyde McPhatter Treasure of Love Brook Benton So Close Otis Redding The Doc Of The Bay Percy Sledge When a man loves a woman The Delfonics La La La Means I Love you Marvin Gaye Mercy Mercy Me Marvin Gaye What's Going On Barbara Lewis Baby I'm Yours
Company store was a general store that the miners shopped at, usually exclusively. They'd give you credit so you were usually always in debt. That's why he owed his soul to the company store.
A little more to that. The store was owned by the coal company. A significant amount of their pay was with script that was only accepted at the company store. The store would then charge exorbitant prices for goods and food. Thus the debt would never end.
@@jamescox9427 to add even more the term Redneck came from the red handkerchief some of them wore around their necks. They ended up fighting with the *us army* because they wanted to be paid in US dollars rather than company script. There's a little more to it but that's the jest of it.
And you could never save any real money to leave, anyway.
Love your reaction. My folks were coal minors, he was speaking truth.
Another great finger snappin' song. Ernie ford was a great personality, great singer, and a comedian as well.
One of the most beautiful songs I ever heard is "Shenandoah", from his magnificent baritone/bass voice.
Agreed!
I like these kinda songs because they tell a story.
A story of a people and a culture.
And a story struggle and hardship that soo many have forgotten.
his voice is amazing. its the kind of voice that immediately makes me envision old Gospel singers
He had a popular TV show back in the day and introduced the Everly Brothers to the general public.
An oldie but goodie. He was also a great comedian.
"Well, bless your little pea-pickin' heart" 😊
There's an old B&W video of Tennessee Ernie Ford singing "Children Go Where I Send Thee" in the company of a bunch of children. It's a must-see. Not just because his performance is outstanding but one of the children makes it utterly hilarious. BTW, there are still jobs that compel employees to 'owe their soul to the company store' (esp. migrant workers).
Ernie Ford had an awesome baritone ..The song is basically story telling with a form of rap and reciting by the way the lyrics are structured that was being used in many of the old western swing and country songs back in the 40s 50s and 60s ..
I love his voice and this song. Also he was funny. A Hundred Pounds of Clay is a nice song too.
I love his version of the old folk song "Shenandoah"
As i commented on big iron....another classic old country tune!
"Tecumseh" by Hank Williams Sr
"Big John" Jimmy Dean
"King of the road" Roger Miller
All "finger snappin' songs" lol
@@thomastimlin1724 nothing wrong with that!!! 🤣🤣🤣
Yes, I came into the comments to recommend King of the Road by Roger Miller, so I second the request!
This song fits my Grandfather totally. As a little kid my Grandmother would take care of us while my Mom was at work and Grandpa would come home from the deep mines after dark, wash all the coal dirt and dust off of him, eat supper, go to bed and do it all over again. On his day off he would go to the bar and get into a bar room fight. He was well known for winning most of his fights. He had one fist of iron and the other of steel. He died of black lung right after retiring so he lived and died the life of a deep mine coal miner. RIP Grandpa!
When I was really little, my grandfather would sing this to me to get me to sleep when I'd stay with them. I had no idea that it was actually a popular song or who it was until high school. Our Choir sang it at an assembly. I was shocked that anyone else had ever even heard it before. I still hold it in my heart, it's something I have never forgot. Grandfathers are special.
@@bettyrose959 My grandfather would hold me on his lap and tell me the Hey Johnny Bull story. "Hey Johnny Bull! How you doing down there? Hey Johnny Bull how ya doing down there?...COLD WET AND WEARY!....Now I'm gonna getcha!!!!"
I listen to TEF when I want to have a good time. His music is so FUN! I can help but move and dance to the songs just because of the music. Another person I love for this is Roger Miller. His songs are a blast!
Grew up around 60 miles from Nashville so I got to hear a lot of really good music growing up. Tennessee Ernie Ford had a remarkable voice.
Coal mines often paid the miners in scrip that could only be used in company stores. That process tied the miners to the company because they never really received any pay. The coal companies just took it back in rent of company owned homes and scrip used to purchase supplies from the company store.
Next "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean and "Amos Moses" by Jerry Reed.
Great Folk song!
Great reaction
You should hear his rockabilly stuff. Blackberry Boogie and Shotgun Boogie are both awesome.
It's about time you reacted to this one. Speaking of long overdue, another powerful voice you reacted to 2 years ago was "War" by Edwin Starr. Another JBF selection of Edwin is "25 miles to go". Don't wait another 2 years!
A classic ❤
The same sound you find by Lorne Green from Bonanza , five card stud for example.
He had a tv show that was fun. There is a holiday episode with his and staff kids that he sang to them ,but the kids stole the show , it’s hysterical
I believe the song was "Go where I Send Thee" It is hilarious with those kids.
@@karenminyard517Children, Go Where I Send Thee.
aye Stan,
...excellent song, lyrics and delivery... it gets really tough when he speaks about how he deals with men standing in his way, for our sensitive, considerate tempers today, but hey: when you have to survive every single day, and your motto has to be 'get stronger or die', that is what happens... or at least, can happen easily...
Classic Music...
Love this song. Hope you do, too.
Love Ernie Ford! He was so so funny on I love Lucy. He is Lucy's cousin and his mama told him about wicked city women. You gotta watch!!!
If you've ever watched "I Love Lucy"-he played Uncle Ernie on a couple of episodes-coming from Tennesee of course. other hirs Mule Train, Ive got to feed them in the morning change em in the evening blues, Shotgun Boogie, Blackberry Boogie and Anticipation Blues to start.
I remember when this song first came out. Yep, I'm that old lol. It was an era when crossovers were rare. This was TEF's foray into Spiritual with a Jazz feel and it made me take notice and stop to listen to it. Peggy Lee did almost the same kind of transition to jazz style trio with with her hit single "Fever."
He also played as a guest star on I love Lucy as cousin Ernie from Tennessee.
Try Dark as a Dungeon
Jeff Beck and Billy Gibson covered this, it is a great rendition.
TEF released this in 1955, and I grew up in KY in the 60s and 70s hearing this replayed over and over on little AM country radio stations. Eastern KY was coal country (even though the song was inspired by mining in the western end of the state, Muilenberg County, where its original singer, songwriter Merle Travis grew up). It was an anthem for my Pa-paw (grandpa) and his generation.
❤️❤️❤️
Watch the movie Coal Miners daughter.
GREAT REACTION!! 👍👍👏👏🎉🎉
I had a commander in the Air Force who flew bombers with Ford during WWII.
My grandfather was killed in the mines in NE Pennsylvania. Great song
You're playing some great memories!😊
If you were raised religious and like gospel music, Tennessee Ernie Ford has quite a catalog to explore. I had a Christmas album by him when I was a child and it was all religious songs not any Santa or Reindeer songs.
Fun review of a great song, and a great presentation. Let's give some credit to the songwriter and guitar innovator, Merle Travis, who after Tennesee Ernie Ford had a smash hit with the tune altered the lyrics slighty when playing it live to, "I owe my soul.....to Tennesse Ernie Ford!". Travis wrote many great songs and his "Dark as a Dungeon", was another tune with coal mining as the subject. "Travis Picking" was the name given to the guitar style Merle adapted from early blues players.
If you like story songs, I got another great one for you. "Thunder Road" by Robert Mitchum.
I agree - Mitchum couldn't sing, but that song is great.
You should check out an updated version of this, by Geoff Castellucci. He's the bass singer for the acapella group VoicePlay, but also releases instrumental-accompanied songs on his own videos. Now with this TEF version as a reference, Geoff's version is a great cover of a classic!
Now watch the ZZ Top . Jeff Beck cover - very cool!!
My parents had one of his albums that was exclusively gospel.
You could almost term him as Early Blue Eyed Soul.
This is kind of like Day-o, the banana boat song, by Harry Belafonte. Check it out if you haven't yet. Except Day-o is Calypso.
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Marvin Gaye Mercy Mercy Me
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taxed when you make it. taxed when you spend it. taxed when you think you own it. the company store making me poor