Some people say a man is made of a mud

A poor man's made of muscie and blood

Muscle and blood and skin and bones

A mind that's 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 woe my soul to the company store



I was born one mornin'

When the sun didn't shine

I picked up my shovel, I walked to the mine

I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal

And the strawboss said " Well best my soul "



(Repeat *)



I was born one mornin', it was drizzling rain

Fightin' and trouble are my middle name

I was raised in a cane

Brake by an old name'lion can't

No, Icall woman make me walk the line



(Repeat *)



If you see me comin' better step a side

A lotta man didn't, a lotta men died

One fist of iron, the other of steel

If the right one don't get you

Then the left on will you



(Repeat *)