16 Tons
16 Tons: A Gritty Tale of Labor, Debt, and Iron Will
Lyrics
Some people say a man is made outta mud
Some people believe a man is created from humble materials like mud.
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
A poor man is composed of muscle and blood, emphasizing physical labor.
Muscle and blood, skin and bones
Describing the human body with muscle, blood, skin, and bones.
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
Highlighting a contradiction between a weak mind and a strong back.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Working hard, loading sixteen tons, with an implicit question about the reward.
Another day older and deeper in debt
The consequence of hard labor is getting older and accumulating debt.
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Refusing a call from Saint Peter, implying an inability to escape the hardships.
I owe my soul to the company store
Expressing indebtedness to the company store, suggesting a cycle of poverty.
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Describing the singer's birth in challenging circumstances.
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
Taking up a shovel and heading to the mine, symbolizing a life of labor.
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
Loading coal, a physically demanding task representing hard work.
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"
The straw boss expressing surprise, perhaps at the harsh conditions.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Repeating the act of loading sixteen tons, emphasizing the cycle of labor.
Another day older and deeper in debt
Reiterating the consequences of hard work – aging and increasing debt.
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Declining a call from Saint Peter, reinforcing a sense of entrapment.
I owe my soul to the company store
Reaffirming the singer's soul being bound to the company store.
If you see me comin', better step aside
Warning others to step aside, suggesting a tough and determined personality.
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
Noting the consequences for those who ignore the warning.
One fist of iron, the other of steel
Describing fists of iron and steel, symbolizing strength and power.
If the right one don't a-get you
Highlighting the potential harm from the right fist.
Then the left one will
Warning that if the right fist doesn't harm you, the left one will.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Repeating the cycle of loading sixteen tons, emphasizing the struggle.
Another day older and deeper in debt
Reiterating the aging and deepening debt resulting from hard work.
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Refusing Saint Peter's call, indicating a continued inability to escape.
I owe my soul to the company store
Reaffirming the singer's soul being tied to the company store.
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