Sixteen Tons

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Picked up a shovel and I walked to the mine
I hauled Sixteen Tons of number nine coal
And the strawboss said, "Well, bless my soul"

You haul Sixteen Tons, and whadaya 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 morning it was drizzle and rain
Fightin' and Trouble are my middle name
Raised in a canebrake by an old mama lion
And no hightoned woman can make me walk the line

You haul Sixteen Tons, and whadaya 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

If you see me comin' you better step aside
A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died
one fist of iron, other of steel
if the right one don't get ya, the left one
will

You haul Sixteen Tons, whadaya 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