[Verse 1]
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 a-weak and a back that's strong
[Chorus]
You loaded sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
[Verse 2]
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 straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"
[Chorus]
You loaded sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
[Verse 3]
I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and troubles are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
No-a high-toned woman [?]
[Chorus]
You loaded sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
You loaded sixteen tons
You loaded sixteen tons
But what do you get? Nothing!
[Verse 4]
If you see me comin', better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
I've got one fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you
Then the left one will
Just one thing I would ask of you
Do they owe your ashes, they surely do
[Chorus]
You loaded sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store