16 Tons

By Merle Travis

Some people say a man is made out of mud
A poor man is made out of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood, skin and bones
A mind that's weak and a back that's strong

You load 16 tons and what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me, cuz I can't go
I owe my soul
To the company store

I was born one morning the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and walked to the mine
I loaded 16 tons of number 9 coal
The straw boss said, "well bless a my soul"

You load 16 tons and what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me, cuz I can't go
I owe my soul
To the company store

I born that morning it was drizzling rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle names
I was raised in a cain break by an old mama lion
Ain't no high tone woman will make me walk the line

You load 16 tons and what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me, cuz I can't go
I owe my soul
To the company store

Now if you see me com in' better step aside
A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died
With one fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't get ya, then the left one will

You load 16 tons and what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me, cuz I can't go
I owe my soul
To the company store

Saint Peter don't you call me
Saint Peter don't you call me
Saint Peter don't you call me