Some people say a man is made outta’ mud
poor man’s made outta’ muscle and blood
muscle and blood, skin and bones
mind that’s a-weak and a back that’s strong

You load sixteen tons and what do ya 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

I was born one mornin’ when the sun didn’t shine
I picked up a shovel and walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number 9 coal
And the store boss said, “Well, a-bless my soul”

You load sixteen tons and what do ya 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

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

You load sixteen tons and what do ya 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

I was born one mornin’ and it was drizzlin’ rain
Fightin’ and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in a canebrake by an ol’ mama lion
Can’t no-a high-toned woman make me walk the lion

You load sixteen tons and what do ya 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