You load 16 tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt. St. Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go. I owe my soul to the company store. Merle Travis More Quotes by Merle Travis More Quotes From Merle Travis I have known the fruits of strikes. The bitter and the sweet. Hunger and music. Merle Travis bitterness fruit sweet Who deserves more credit than the wife of a coal miner? Mother was one. Merle Travis coal-miners deserve-more mother The saddest songs are written when a person is happy. Merle Travis saddest persons song My father and brothers were coal miners. Merle Travis coal-miners brother father