Some people say a man is made outta mud A poor man's made outta muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones A mind That's a-weak and a back That's strong 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? 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 old 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