Some people say a man is made outta mud.
But, a poor man's made outta muscle and blood.
Muscle and blood and skin and bones.
With a mind that's weak and a back that's strong.

You load sixteen tons what do you get?
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 [bad word] store.

Well, 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 nine coal.
And the straw boss said "Well, bless my soul,

"You load sixteen tons and 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 [bad word] store."

Well, I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain.
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name.
Rain aised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion.
Ain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line.

You load sixteen tons and what do you get?
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 [bad word] store.

Well, If you see [bad word] , you better step aside.
lotta men didn't, and a lotta men died.
One fist of iron and the other one of steel,
If the right one don't get you, then the left one will.

You load sixteen tons and what do you get?
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 [bad word] store.