Son yeah some people say a man's made outta mud But 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 owe my soul I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine Grabbed me a shovel and I went to the mine Loaded sicteen tons of No 9 coal And the storeboss said well bless my soul
I load sixteen tons what do you get...
[ guitar ] Well I was born one morning it was drizzlin' rain Figting and trouble is my middle name I was raised in wood by mama of mine No hightoned mama makes me walk the line
I load sixteen tons what do you get...
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