Story Behind The Song

Loved this song in the 50's when I first heard it.

Song Description

Life of the miner was held by the company. They were not payed with real money but with company dollars and were charged for housing, food and any necessaries for life. So to say they were close to not having a life. and this is a protest song

Lyrics

Sixteen Tons
Some people say a man is made out of mud,
a poor man's made out of muscle and blood,
muscle and blood and skin and bone,
a mind that's weak and a back thats strong

You loaded 16 ton what'a you get another day older
and deeper in debt, saint Peter don't ya call him cause he can't go
he owes his soul too the company store.

He was born one morning and the sun didn't shine,
He picked up his shovel and he walked to the mine,
He loaded 16 ton of number 9 coal
and the strawboss said...well bless my soul,

You loaded 16 ton what'a you get another day older
and deeper in debt, saint Peter don't ya call him cause he can't go
he owes his soul too the company store.

He was born one morning it was drizzling rain,
a fightin' and touble on his middle name.
Raised in a cane raked by an ol' mama lion
an't now hightone woman made him walk the line.

You loaded 16 ton what'a you get another day older
and deeper in debt, saint Peter don't ya call him cause he can't go
he owes his soul to the company store.

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

You loaded 16 ton what'a you get another day older
and deeper in debt. Saint Peter don't ya call him cause he can't go
he owes his soul to the company store.

He owes his soul to the company store.
He owes his soul to the company store.