Sixteen Tons

Sixteen Tons

Some people say a man is made outta mud a poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones a mind that's weak and a back that's strong
You load sixteen tons, what do you get another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me because I can't go I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal and the straw boss said "Well bless my soul"

You load sixteen tons, what do you get another day older and deeper in debt

Saint Peter don't you call me because I can't go I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one morning it was drizzling rain fighting and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an old mama lion can't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line

You load sixteen tons, what do you get another day older and deeper in debt

Saint Peter don't you call me because I can't go I owe my soul to the company store

If you see me coming better step aside a lot of men didn't, a lot of men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel if the right one don't get you, then the left one will

You load sixteen tons, what do you get another day older and deeper in debt

Saint Peter don't you call me because I can't go I owe my soul to the company store