[Verse 1] Well now, some folks say a man is made outta mud But a poor man's made outta muscle and blood Muscle and blood, skin and bone A mind that's weak and a back that's strong [Chorus] You load sixteen tons, whadda you get? You get another 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 [Verse 2] Well, I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine I grabbed my shovel, and I went to the mine I loaded sixteen tons number nine coal Straw boss hollered, "Well, damn your soul" [Chorus] You load sixteen tons, whadda you get? You get another 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 [Verse 3] Well, I was born one mornin' in the drizzlin' rain Fightin' trouble been my middle name See me comin' you better step aside A lot of men didn't, and a lot of men died [Chorus] You load sixteen tons, whadda you get? You get another 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 [Outro] I owe my soul to the company store