Sixteen Tons '65

Some people say a man is made out-a mud A poor man's made out-a 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 cause 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-a, 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 cause 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 cane raked by an old mama lion Cain't no 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 cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store If you see me coming, better step aside A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died One fist of iron, the other of steel If the right one don't a-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 cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store