lyrics of the coal mines

SIXTEEN TONS

By Merle Travis

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

Chorus

You load sixteen tons, and what do you get?

another day older and deeper in debt

St. Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go

I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin' and 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!" 

.....you loaded...

(Chorus)