Well some people say a man is made out of mud
A poor man's made out of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood, and skin and bone...
Gotta mind that's weak and a back that's strong

Chorus:

Sixteen tons, whatta 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 sto'

When I was born one morning, the sun didn't shine
Along came a man who worked in a mine

I shoveled sixteen tons of number 9 coal
And the foreman said "get out of the hole!"

(chorus)

I was born one morning, it was drizzle and rain
Fightin' and trouble been my middle name
When I come 'round better step aside
Well alotta men didn't
and alotta men died

If you see me comin', better step aside
Alotta men didn't, alotta men died.
One fist is iron, the other is steel
If the right one don't getcha,
then the left one will!

(chorus)