Some Empeople say a B7man is Emmade outta B7mud
A Empoor man's B7made outta Emmuscle and B7blood
EmMuscle and Em7blood and Amskin and Am7bones
A B7mind that's a-weak and a Emback that's strong

You Emload sixteen B7tons, what Emdo you B7get
AnEmother day B7older and Emdeeper in B7debt
EmSaint Peter don't you Em7call me 'Amcause I can't Am7go
I B7owe my soul to the Emcompany 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 nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"

You load sixteen tons, 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 the company store

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

You load sixteen tons, 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 the company store

If you see me comin', better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you
Then the left one will

You load sixteen tons, 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 the company store