Sixteen Tons
Written by Merle Travis
Recorded by Frank McKinnon

LYRICS

Some people say a man is made out of mud. A poor man is made out of muscle and blood; muscle and blood, and skin and bones; a mind that is weak and a back that is 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.

I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine. I picked up my shovel, and I walked to the mine.I loaded sixteen tons of number 9 coal. And the straw boss said, "Well, bless my soul"

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.

I was born one morning, when it was drizzling rain. Fighting and trouble are my middle name. I was raised in the canebrake by an old mama lion.
Aint no high-toned woman gonna make me walk the line.

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.

If you see me a comin', you better step aside. A lot of men didn't, and a lot of men died. I've got one one 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.

MP3 Copy of Studio Recording
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[MP3 Copy of Studio Recording]

Frank McKinnon:
Guitar
Vocal

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