SIXTEEN TONS

Some people say a man is made out of mud A poor man's made out 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 a money you gain 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 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 “Wella bless my Soul", you load sixteen tons a money you gain 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 comin' better step aside A lotta men didn't, and a lotta men died One fist of iron the other of steel If the right one don't get you then the left one will you know sixteen tons a money you gain 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 mornin' and it was drizzlin' rain Fightin' and trouble are my middle name I was raised in a canebrake by an old man lion can't no High-tuned woman make me walk the line, you load Sixteen tons a money you gain 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