16 Tons Lyrics

Some people say a man is made out of mud

A poor man's made out of muscle and blood

Muscle and blood, skin and bone

A mind that's weak but a back that's strong

I loaded 16 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

Well i was born one day when the sun didn't shine

Picked up my shovel and i walked to the mine

I loaded 16 tons of #9 coal

And the straw boss said "boy, well bless your soul"

16 Tons...

If you see me coming, better step aside

A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died

I got one fist of iron the other of steel

And if the right one don't get you boy, the left one will

16 Tons...

I owe my soul to the company store