Sixteen Tons

merle travis

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 weak and a back that's strong

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 bless my soul"

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
can't no high-toned woman make me walk the line

if you see me comin' better step aside
a lotta men didn't and a lotta men died
onne fist of iron and the other of steel
if the right one don't get you then the left one will

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