Sixteen Tons
Grit and Struggle: Unveiling the Depths of Sixteen Tons
Lyrics
Some people say a man is made outta mud
Some people believe a man is created from humble origins.
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
A poor man is composed of muscle and blood.
Muscle and blood and skin and bone
Describes the physical components of a person - muscle, blood, skin, and bone.
With a mind that's weak and a back that's strong.
The person has a weak mind but a strong back.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Loading sixteen tons of something (work, responsibility).
Another day older and deeper and debt
Result of the heavy load is getting older and deeper in debt.
St Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Refusing a call from St. Peter, implying a difficult life and unwillingness to face judgment.
I owe my soul to the company store.
Expressing indebtedness to the company store, suggesting a life of servitude to an employer.
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Describes the birth of the narrator on a gloomy morning.
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
Engaging in hard labor from a young age (mining).
Loaded sixteen tons of No. 9 coal
Loading sixteen tons of coal, representing the toil and effort.
And the store boss said well bless my soul.
The store boss is surprised by the narrator's hard work.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Reiterating the heavy load and its consequences.
Another day older and deeper and debt
Continuation of the impact of the labor on the narrator's life.
St Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Refusing a call from St. Peter due to the burdens of life.
I owe my soul to the company store.
Reaffirming indebtedness to the company store.
I was born one mornin' it was drizzlin' rain
Describing a difficult birth in unpleasant weather.
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
Conflict and trouble are inherent in the narrator's life.
Raisin' the cane, break by an old mountain lion
Engaging in physical labor and facing challenges like an old mountain lion.
Ain't no hightoned woman makes me walk the line.
Rejecting the influence of sophisticated women.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Reiterating the cycle of heavy labor and its consequences.
Another day older and deeper and debt
Continuation of the impact of the labor on the narrator's life.
St Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Refusing a call from St. Peter due to life's burdens.
I owe my soul to the company store.
Reaffirming indebtedness to the company store.
If you see me comin' better step aside
Warning others to step aside as the narrator approaches.
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
Many men have suffered and died due to the narrator's strength.
One fist of iron the other of steel
Describing the narrator's powerful fists.
If the right one don't get you then the left one will.
Implying a tough and formidable nature.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Reiterating the heavy load and its consequences.
Another day older and deeper and debt
Continuation of the impact of the labor on the narrator's life.
St Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Refusing a call from St. Peter due to the burdens of life.
I owe my soul to the company store
Reaffirming indebtedness to the company store.
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