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
You gotta a mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong

You load sixteen tons, and 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

(Saint Peter don't you call me)
'Cause I can't go
(Saint Peter don't you call me)
To the company store
(Saint Peter)
Don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

Well, 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, yeah!

I was born one mornin', in the drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble have been 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

Yeah! 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, and the other of steel
(If the never know a-get you, then the)
Right 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

(Saint Peter don't you call me)
'Cause I can't go
(Saint Peter don't you call me)
To the company store
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

(Saint Peter don't you call me)
'Cause I can't go