SIXTEEN TONS Some people say a man is made out of mud A poor man's made out of muscle and blood Muscle and blood, skin and bones A mind that's weak and a back that's strong You load sixteen tons and what do you get Another year 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 nine coal And the straw boss said: "Well bless my soul" I was born one morning it was drizzling rain Fightin' and trouble are my middle name I was raised in a cane brake by an ole mama lion Can't no high toned women make me walk the line. If you see me comin' better step aside A lot of men didn't and a lot of man died One fist of iron, the other of steel If the right one don't get you the left will.