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