Some people say a man is made out of mud 
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood, skin and bone
A mind that's weak and a back thats strong

You loaded sixteen tons and what did you getta
Another day older and deeper in dept
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
The straw boss said "Well, bless my soul!

You loaded sixteen tons and what did you getta
Another day older and deeper in dept
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, it was drizzling rain
Fighting and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the cane-break by an old mama lion
Can't no hot-coloured woman make me haunt the line

You loaded sixteen tons and what did you getta
Another day older and deeper in dept
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the Company store

If you see me coming, better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
I got one fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one donna get you, then the left one will

You loaded sixteen tons and what did you get
Another day older and deeper in dept
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the Company store