Some people say a man is made outta mud A poor man's made outta muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones A mind that's weak and a back that's strong You load sixteen tons, what do 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 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 straw boss said "Well, bless my soul" I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain Fightin' and trouble are my middle name I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion And no high-toned woman make me walk the line If you see me comin', better step aside A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died One fist of iron, the other of steel If the right one don't get you then the left one will