[Verse 1]
Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle an' blood
Muscle an' blood an' skin an' bones
A mind that's weak and a back that's strong

[Chorus]
You loaded sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Another day older an' deeper in debt
Saint Peter doncha call me cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

[Verse 2]
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Picked up the shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said, "Well, bless my soul!"

[Chorus]
You loaded sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Another day older an' deeper in debt
Saint Peter doncha call me cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

[Verse 3]
I was born one morning, it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle names
Raised in the canebrake by an' ol' mama lion
Can't no high-tone woman make me walk the line
[Chorus]
You loaded sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Another day older an' deeper in debt
Saint Peter doncha call me cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

[Verse 4]
If you see me comin', better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
With one fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't getcha then the left one will

[Chorus]
You loaded sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Another day older an' deeper in debt
Saint Peter doncha call me cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store