Some people say a man
is made out of mud
A poor mans made
out of muscle and blood.
Muscle and blood,
and skin and bones
A mind thats weak
and a back thats strong.

You load sixteen tons
and what do you get?
Another day older
and deeper in debt.
St. Peter dont you call me
Cause I cant go.
I owe my soul to the company store.

I was born one morning
when the sun didnt shine.
I picked up my shovel
and I walked to the mine.
I loaded sixteen tons
of number nine coal.
And the store boss said
Well bless my soul.

Chorus You load sixteen tons..


I was born one morning
it was drizzling rain.
Fighting and trouble
are my middle name.
I was raised in the cambric
by an ol mama lion.
Cant know a high toned woman
make me walk the line.

Chorus You load sixteen tons..

If you see me coming
better step aside.
A lotta men didnt,
a lotta men died.
One fist of iron,
the other of steel.
If the right one dont get you
the left one will.

Chorus You load sixteen tons