Some people say a man is made out of mudA poor man's made out of muscle and bloodMuscle and blood and skin and bonesA mind that's a-weak and a back that's strongYou load sixteen tons, what do you get?Another day older and deeper in debtSaint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't goI owe my soul to the company storeI was born one morning when the sun didn't shineI picked up my shovel and I walked to the mineI loaded sixteen tons of number 9 coalAnd the straw boss said, "Well, a-bless my soul"You load sixteen tons, what do you get?Another day older and deeper in debtSaint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't goI owe my soul to the company storeI was born one morning, it was drizzling rainFighting and trouble are my middle nameI was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lionCan't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the lineYou load sixteen tons, what do you get?Another day older and deeper in debtSaint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't goI owe my soul to the company storeIf you see me coming, better step asideA lot of men didn't, a lot of men diedOne fist of iron, the other of steelIf the right one don't a-get you, then the left one willYou load sixteen tons, what do you get?Another day older and deeper in debtSaint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go