Who deserves more credit than the wife of a coal miner? Mother was one.

- Merle Travis

The saddest songs are written when a person is happy.

- Merle Travis

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 comp…

- Merle Travis

My father and brothers were coal miners.

- Merle Travis

I have known the fruits of strikes. The bitter and the sweet. Hunger and music.

- Merle Travis