Sixteen Tons

Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood, 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 deeper in debt
St. Peter don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin' 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 store boss said, "Well bless my soul"

You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older deeper in debt
St. Peter don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Can't no high-toned woman make me walk the line

You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older deeper in debt
St. Peter don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

If you see me comin' 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 deeper in debt
St. Peter don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store