Now some people say a man's made outta mud
But a poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood skin and bone a mind that's weak and a back that's strong

You load sixteen tons what do you get another day older and deeper and debt
St Peter don't you call me I can't go I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Grabbed me a shovel and I went to the mine
Loaded sixteen tons of No 9 coal and the storeboss said well bless my soul
You load sixteen tons...

I was born one mornin' and it was drizzlin' rain figtin' and trouble is my middle name
Risin' the cane raiped by that ol' mom of mine
Ain't no hightoned mama makes me walk the line
You load sixteen tons...

If you see me comin' better step aside a lotta men didn't and a lotta men died
One fist is iron the other one's steel
If the left one don't get you then the right one will
You load sixteen tons...