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

You load sixteen tons an' what do you get?
Another day older 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', it was drizzlin' rain.
Fightin' an' trouble are my middle name.
I was raised in the canebreak by an old mama lion,
Ain't no high-toned woman gonna make me toe the line.

You load sixteen tons an' what do you get?
Another day older deeper i 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' when the sun didn't shine.
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine.
I loaded sixteen tons of Number 9 coal,
An' the store boss said: "Well, bless my soul."

You load sixteen tons an' what do you get?
Another day older deeper in debt.
St Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go:
I owe my soul to [bad word] store.

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

You load sixteen tons an' what do you get?
Another day older deeper in debt.
St Peter don't you call me cause I can't go:
I owe my soul to [bad word] store.

Merle Travis
 Enregistré par Europe 1 au studio Perier le 31 août 1974