Some people say a man's made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood skin and bone
A mind that's weak and a back that's strong

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

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Grabbed up a shovel and I went to the mine
I loaded sicteen tons of No 9 coal
And the storeboss said well bless my soul

You load sixteen tons what do you get...

I was born one mornin' and it was drizzlin' rain
Figtin' and trouble was my middle name
I was risin' the cane raiped by that ol' mom of mine
Ain't no hightoned mama makes me walk the line

You load sixteen tons what do you get...
[ guitar ]
Well if you see me comin' better step aside
A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died
One fist is iron the other one's steel
If the right one don't get you then the left one will

You load sixteen tons what do you get...