Intro: Am F E E7 Am
V1.
Am F Dm E
Some people say a man is made out of mud,
Am F Dm E
a poor man's made outa muscle an' blood,
Am F Dm E
Muscle an' blood an' skin an' bone,
Am F E7 E
a mind that's weak and a back that's strong.
E E7 Am F Dm E
You load sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Am F Dm E
another day older an' deeper in debt;
Am F Dm
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go,
Am F E E7 Am
I owe my soul to the company sto'.
Am F E E7 Am
V2.
Am F Dm E
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine,
Am F Dm E
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine;
Am F Dm E
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal,
Am F Dm E
an' the straw boss said, "Well, bless my soul!"
Chorus
V3.
Am F Dm E
I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain;
Am F Dm E
fightin' and trouble are my middle name;
Am F Dm E
I was raised in the cane break by an' ol' mama lion,
Am F Dm E
ain't no high-tone woman make me walk the line.
V4.
Am F Dm E
If you see me a-comin', better step aside.
Am F Dm E
A lot o' men didn't; a lot 'o men died;
Am Dm
One fist of iron an' the other of steel—
Am F Am
If the right one don't get you then the left one will.
Outro:
E E7 Am F Dm E
You load sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Am F Dm E
another day older an' deeper in debt;
Am F Dm
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go,
(Slowly)
Am Am7 F
I o-owe my s-o-o-oul;
Dm7 E E7 Am
to the company sto'.
Am F E E7 Am