Some people say a man is made out of mud A poor man's made out of muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bone A mind that's weak and a back that's strong You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store I was born one morning 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 a straw ball set Well, bless my soul you load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store I was born one morning it was drizzling rain Fighting and trouble on my middle name Raised in a cane break by an old mama line Ain't no high tone woman make me walk the line You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store If you see me coming better step aside A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died With one fist of iron and the other of steel If the right one don't get you then the left one will You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store