Sixteen Tons

Some people say a man is made out of mud A poor man's made out of muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones You've got a mind that's weak and a back that's strong You load 16 tons and 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 Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go Saint Peter, don't you call me, but to the company store Saint Peter, but don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store, c'mon Well, I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine I loaded 16 tons of number nine coal And the straw boss said, "Well-a bless my soul!" You load 16 tons and 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, yeah I was born one morning, in the drizzlin' rain The fightin' and trouble have been my middle name I was raised in the cane brake by an old mama lion Can't no high-toned woman make me walk the line Yeah, 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 I owe my soul If you see me comin' better step aside A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died One fist of iron and the other of steel If the left one don't getcha then the right one will You load 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 Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go Saint Peter, don't you call me, but to the company store Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul To the company store Saint Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go