Lyrics
Some people say a man is made outta mud
Some people believe a man is formed from humble materials like mud.
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
A poor man is created from a combination of muscle and blood.
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
The composition of a person includes muscle, blood, skin, and bones.
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
Describes a person with a weak mind but a physically strong back.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Presents a rhetorical question about the outcome of loading sixteen tons.
Another day older and deeper in debt
Answers the previous question, indicating that hard labor leads to aging and debt.
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
The protagonist pleads with Saint Peter not to call him as he cannot leave; owes his soul to the company store.
I owe my soul to the company store
Expresses indebtedness to the company store, suggesting a cycle of poverty.
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Describes the protagonist's birth on a gloomy morning.
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
Tells of the protagonist's journey to work in the mine with a shovel.
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
Details the labor of loading sixteen tons of coal.
And the straw boss said ""Well, a-bless my soul""
The straw boss reacts in amazement or disbelief at the protagonist's effort.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Repeats the earlier question about the outcome of loading sixteen tons.
Another day older and deeper in debt
Reiterates the consequence of hard labor, leading to aging and increased debt.
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Repeats the plea to Saint Peter due to the inability to leave, owing the soul to the company store.
I owe my soul to the company store
Reiterates the theme of being in debt to the company store.
I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Describes the protagonist's birth in unfavorable conditions, including drizzling rain.
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
States that the protagonist is accustomed to fighting and trouble.
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Shares the protagonist's upbringing in a challenging environment with a strong maternal figure in the canebrake.
Can't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line
Declares the protagonist's resistance to being controlled by a high-toned woman.
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