"SIXTEEN TONS"
By Merle Travis

Some people say a man is made out of mud

poor man's made out of muscle and blood

Muscle and blood, skin and bones...

mind that's weak and a back that's strong

_________________
 [bad word] 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 [bad word] store

__________________

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!" 

.....you loaded...
 [bad word] 

__________________

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
 [bad word] 

__________________

If you see [bad word] , better step aside

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

 [bad word] 

__________________

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 [bad word] store