Sixteen Tons was written eight years before I recorded it.

Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go;
I owe my soul to the company store. Ford also did musical tours. Ford Theatre an anthology series had run in the same time slot on NBC in the preceding 1955–1956 season.

Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13 1919 – October 17 1991) better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western pop and gospel musical genres.