This song was written by Merle Travis, recorded by Tennessee Ford and released in 1947. It struck record gold.
The inspiration came from a Kentucky coal mining town from where Travis received a letter from his brother which said “You dig sixteen tons and what d’you get? Another day older and deeper in debt” and another letter from his father complaining “I can’t afford to die, I owe my soul to the company store”. Growing up a wee lad in Bombay, everyone loved this song but were scared off by the community rumour mill which said the Catholic Church had banned it because of the words “St Peter don’t tell me that I can go, cause I owe my soul to the company store” - which was interpreted as owing the soul to the devil. The rumour could well have been true. In those days the Church ruled your daily life and were not beyond making threats. https://youtu.be/oOl12mBzKKQ Roland. Toronto.
