Sixteen Tons
Sixteen Tons: A Gritty Tale of Hard Labor and Debt
Lyrics
People say a man is made outta mud
People believe a man is formed from mud.
Poor man made outta muscle and blood
A poor man is made of muscle and blood.
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
Describes the components of a person: muscle, blood, skin, and bones.
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
Refers to a person with a weak mind but a strong back.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Pondering the outcome of loading sixteen tons.
Another day older and deeper in debt
Loading sixteen tons leads to aging and increasing debt.
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Pleading with Saint Peter not to call because of inability to go.
Owe my soul to the company store
Owing one's soul to the company store, indicating servitude.
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Describes the speaker's birth on a gloomy day.
I picked up my shovel and I started to the mine
The speaker begins working in the mine with a shovel.
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
Loading sixteen tons of coal (hard work).
The straw boss said, "Well, now bless his soul"
The supervisor acknowledges the hard work.
He loaded sixteen tons and what did he get?
Reflects on the consequence of loading sixteen tons.
Another day older and deeper in debt
Similar to line 7, aging and accumulating debt.
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Reiteration of Saint Peter's plea due to inability.
Owe my soul to the company store
Reiterates owing one's soul to the company store.
You see me comin', you better step aside
Warning others to step aside as the speaker approaches.
A lotta men didn't and a lotta of 'em died
Many who ignored the warning died.
One fist of iron, the other one of steel
Describes the speaker's hands - one iron, the other steel.
The right one don't get you, then the left one will
Emphasizes the toughness of the speaker's fists.
You load sixteen tons and what do you get?
Reflects on the outcome of loading sixteen tons.
Another day older and deeper in debt
Repeats the theme of aging and accumulating debt.
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Reiterates the plea to Saint Peter due to inability.
Owe my soul to the company store
Repeats the idea of owing one's soul to the company store.
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