Merle Travis - Sixteen Tons

        

Verse

Am F E Some people say a man is made outta mud Am F E A poor man's made outta muscle an' blood Am F Dm Muscle an' blood an' skin an' bone Am G Am A mind that's weak and a back that's strong

Chorus

Am F E You load sixteen tons an' what do ya get? Am F E Another day older an' deeper in debt Am F Dm Saint Peter don't ya call me 'cause I can't go Am E Am I owe my soul to the company store

Verse

Am F E I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine Am F E Picked up my shovel and I went to the mine Am F Dm Loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal Am G Am The straw boss said, "Well, Bless my soul!"

Chorus

Am F E You load sixteen tons an' what do ya get? Am F E Another day older an' deeper in debt Am F Dm Saint Peter don't ya call me 'cause I can't go Am E Am I owe my soul to the company store

Verse

Am F E I was born one morning it was drizzlin' rain Am F E Fightin' and trouble are my middle name Am F Dm Raised in the canebrake by an old mama lion Am G Am Ain't no high-tone woman make me walk the line

Chorus

Am F E You load sixteen tons an' what do ya get? Am F E Another day older an' deeper in debt Am F Dm Saint Peter don't ya call me 'cause I can't go Am E Am I owe my soul to the company store

Verse

Am F E If ya see me coming ya better step aside Am F E A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died Am F Dm With one fist of iron an' the other of steel Am G Am If the right one don't get ya then the left one will

Chorus

Am F E You load sixteen tons an' what do ya get? Am F E Another day older an' deeper in debt Am F Dm Saint Peter don't ya call me 'cause I can't go Am E Am I owe my soul to the company store

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