[Verso 1]
 
Gm                                  D7 
Some people say a man is made outta mud 
  Gm                               D7 
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood 
Gm                   Cm 
Muscle and blood and skin and bones 
  Gm   N.C. 
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong 


[Refrão]

    D7   Gm                           D7 
You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 
 Gm                             D7 
Another day older and deeper in debt 
      Gm                             Cm 
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go 
  Gm  N.C. 
I owe my soul to the company store 


[Verso 2]

         Gm                                   D7 
I... was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine 
  Gm                                    D7 
I picked up my shovel and walked to the mine 
         Gm              Cm 
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal 
        Gm    N.C. 
And the straw boss said 'Well, a-bless my soul' 


[Refrão]

    D7   Gm                           D7 
You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 
 Gm                             D7 
Another day older and deeper in debt 
      Gm                             Cm 
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go 
  Gm  N.C. 
I owe my soul to the company store 


[Verso 3]

   D7     Gm                          D7 
If... you see me comin', better step aside 
  Gm                            D7 
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died 
   Gm                   Cm 
My one fist's iron, the other steel 
           Gm    N.C. 
And if the right one don't getcha then the left one will 


[Refrão]

    D7   Gm                           D7 
You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 
 Gm                             D7 
Another day older and deeper in debt 
      Gm                             Cm 
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go 
  Gm  N.C. 
I owe my soul to the company store 



[Verso 4]

  D7     Gm                                    D7 
I... was born one mornin' and it was drizzlin' rain 
  Gm                                 D7 
A-fightin' and trouble are my middle name 
      Gm                            Cm 
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion 
           Gm   N.C. 
Can't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line 


[Refrão]
 
    D7   Gm                           D7 
You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 
 Gm                             D7 
Another day older and deeper in debt 
      Gm                             Cm 
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go 
  N.C. 
I owe my soul 
D7                N.C. 
   To the company store