Some people say that a man is made out of mud, A poor man's made out og 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 Bhagwan, don't call me cause i can't go ? I owe my soul to the company store I was born one morning 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 morning, it was drizzling rain Fighting and trouble are my middle name I was raised in a cane-brake by an ole mama lion can't no high toned women make me walk the line If you don't see me coming better step aside A lotta man didn't A lotta man died One firt of iron the other of steel if the right one don't get you the left one will