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

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 store boss said well bless my soul
You load sixteen tons

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 high toned woman makes me walk the line
You load sixteen tons

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