[INTRO:   ]Em  B7  Em    
    
                   Em    
Some people say a man is made out of mud.    
    
A poor man's made out of muscle and blood,    
                                       Am    
Muscle and blood and skin and bones,    
        B7                                 Em     
A mind that's weak and a back that's strong.    
    

[Refrão]
    
                       Em    
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?    
    
Another day older and deeper in debt.    
                                                       Am    
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go.    
            Em                        B7      Em   
I owe my soul to the company sto'.*     
    
    
                  Em    
I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine.    
    
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine,    
                                            Am    
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal    
                   B7                                  Em    
And the straw boss said, "Well, bless my soul!"    
    

[Refrão]
    
                   Em    
You load sixteen tons, and what do you get?    
    
Another day older and deeper in debt.    
                                                        Am    
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go;    
          Em                       B7      Em    
I owe my soul to the company sto'.    
    
    
    
               Em    
I was born one morning, it was drizzling rain.    
    
Fighting and trouble are my middle name.    
                                                        Am    
I was raised in the canebreak by an old mama lion.    
                       B7                             Em    
Ain't no high-tone woman make me walk the line.    
    
    
Chorus   
    
    
            Em    
If you see me coming, better step aside.    
    
A lot of men didn't; a lot of men died.    
                                   Am    
One fist of iron, the other of steel,    
                B7                                      Em    
If the right one don't get you then the left one will.    
    

[Refrão]
   
                      Em    
You load sixteen tons what do you get?    
    
Another day older and deeper in debt.    
                                                         Am    
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go.    
          Em              Em             B7        Em    
I owe   my so-o-o--ul  to the company sto'.