Some people say a man's made outta mud a poor man's made outta 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 just another day older deeper and debt
St Peter don't you call me I cause can't go I owe my soul to the company store

[ guitar ]

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up a shovel walked out to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of No 9 coal and the storeboss said well bless my soul
You load sixteen tons...

[ guitar ]

I was born one mornin' it was drizzlin' rain
A figtin' and trouble that's my middle name
I was risin' the cane raiped by that ol' mom of mine
Ain't no hightoned woman makes me walk the line
You load sixteen tons...

[ guitar ]

Well if you see me comin' you better step aside a lotta men didn't 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...