Sixteen tons By Merle Travis 1. Some people say a man is made out of mud A poor man's made out of muscle and blood Muscle and blood, skin and bones... A mind that's weak and a back that's strong Chorus: You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store 2. I was born one mornin' and the sun didn't shine I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal and the straw boss said, "well bless my soul!" Chorus: You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store 3. I was born one mornin' it was drizzlin' rain fightin' and trouble are my middle name I was raised in a cane-brake by an old mama lion can't no high-toned woman make me walk no line Chorus: You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store 4. If you see me comin', better step aside A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died One fist of iron, the other of steel If the right one don't get you, then the left one will Chorus: You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter don't you call me, 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store