Intro: Some people say man is made out of mud A poor man's made out of muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bone A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong You load sixteen tons and what do you get An- other 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 Owe my soul, owe my soul to company store Owe my soul to the company store Well, I was born one mornin' 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 store-boss said, "Son, bless my soul" You load sixteen tons and what do you get An- other 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, owe my soul, owe my soul Solo: I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain Fightin' and trouble are my middle name I was raised in the wood by mama lion No, a high-tone woman make me walk the line You load sixteen tons and what do you get An- other 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 Owe my soul, owe my soul to company store To the company store If you see me comin', better step aside A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died One fist of iron, the other of steel If the right one don't git ya, son, then left one will You load sixteen tons and what do you get An- other 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 Owe my soul, owe my soul, owe my soul --- oh Sixteen tons, I owe my soul, sixteen tons to the company store Sixteen tons, I owe my soul, sixteen tons to the company store