I was born one morning, was a-drizzling rain.
A fussing and fighting ain't my middle name.
Well they raised me in a corner by a Mammy hound,

I'm as mean as a dog but I'm as gentle as a lamb.

I loaded sixteen tons and what do I get?

Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter don't call me 'cause I can't go,
I owe my soul to the company store 1 .


Well, I got up one morning, the sun didn't shine,
I picked up my shovel and I went to the mine.

I loaded sixteen ton of that number four coal 2 ,
The face boss said, "Well bless my soul!"


I loaded sixteen tons and what do I get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter don't call me 'cause I can't go,

I owe my soul to the company store.

I loaded sixteen tons, I tried to get ahead,

Got deeper and deeper in debt instead.
Well, they got what I made, and they wanted some more,
And now I owe my soul at the company store.


I loaded sixteen tons and what do I get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.

Saint Peter don't call me 'cause I can't go,
I owe my soul to the company store.


Well, I went to the office to draw some script 3
The man, he told me -- was a wreck in the dip.
To clear the tracks would be a week or more

But your credit's still good at our company store.

I loaded sixteen tons and what do I get?

Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter don't call me 'cause I can't go,
I owe my soul to the company store.


If you see me coming, step aside.
A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died

I got a fist of iron, I got a fist of steel,
If the left one don't get you then the right one will.


I loaded sixteen tons and what do I get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter don't call me 'cause I can't go,

I owe my soul to the company store.