16 Tons
I was born one morning, where the sun don’t shine
Picked up my shovel, and walked to the mine
I loaded 16 tons of number nine coal
That foreman said, blessed my soul
16 tons and whatdaya get
Another day older and deeper in debt
St. Peter don’t you call me, I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store
Now some say a man’s made out of mud
Some say a man’s made of muscles and blood
Muscle and blood, skin and bones
With a mind that’s weak, and a back that’s strong
Working all day long
16 tons and whatdaya get
Another day older and deeper in debt
St. Peter don’t you call me, I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born in a driving rain
Fighting trouble’s been my middle name
Now when you see me coming, better step aside
Lot of men didn’t and a lot of men died
I’ve got a left fist of iron, right fist of steel
If the right don’t get ya, then the left one surely will
16 tons and what do I get
Another day older and deeper in debt
St. Peter don’t you call me, I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store
I owe my soul to the company store