sixteen tons

some people say a man is made outta' mud

a poor man's made outta' muscle and blood

muscle and blood and skin and bones

a mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong

you load sixteen 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 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 9 coal

and the straw boss said well