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 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