Some people say a man

is made out of mud

A poor man's made

out of muscle and blood

Muscle and blood

and skin and bones

A mind that's week

and a back that's strong

You load sixteen tons,

what do you get

Another day older

and deeper in debt

St. Peter don't you call

me 'cos I can't go

I owe my soul to

the company store

I was born one morning

when the sun didn't shine

I picked up my shovel

and I walked to the mine

I loaded sixteen tons

a number nine cold

And the stock boss

said a well a bless my soul

You load sixteen tons,

what do you get

Another day older

and deeper in debt

St. Peter don't you call

me 'cos I can't go

I owe my soul to

the company store

I was born one morning

it was drizzling rain

Fighting and trouble

are my middle name

I was raised in the Cain

break by an old mama lion

Can't know a hot tongue

woman make me walk the line

You load sixteen tons,

what do you get

Another day older

and deeper in debt

St. Peter don't you call

me 'cos I can't go

I owe my soul to

the company store

If you ever see me coming

better step aside

A lotta men didn't,

a lotta men died

One fist of iron,

the other of steel

If the right one doesn't get

you then the left one will

You load sixteen tons,

what do you get

Another day older

and deeper in debt

St. Peter don't you call

me 'cos I can't go

I owe my soul to

the company store