Sixteen Tons
Workin' Man's Blues: Sixteen Tons Unveiled
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 physical strength and vitality.
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
The essence of a person includes muscle, blood, skin, and bones.
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
Despite a weak mind, the person has a strong back.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
When you load sixteen tons of work, what do you achieve?
Another day older and deeper in debt
The consequence is getting another day older and deeper in debt.
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Saint Peter is urged not to call because the person cannot go, being indebted.
I owe my soul to the company store
The individual owes their soul to the company store due to debts.
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
The speaker describes their birth during a gloomy morning.
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
The speaker took up a shovel and headed to the mine for work.
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
The speaker loaded sixteen tons of coal.
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"
The supervisor expresses surprise or admiration.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Reiteration of the consequences of loading sixteen tons.
Another day older and deeper in debt
Another day passes, and the person is deeper in debt.
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Saint Peter is again told not to call due to inability to go.
I owe my soul to the company store
The soul is owed to the company store due to continued indebtedness.
I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
The speaker describes being born in drizzling rain.
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
Fighting and trouble are noted as the speaker's attributes.
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
The speaker was raised in a challenging environment.
Cain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line
A refusal to be controlled by an upscale woman is expressed.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Repetition of the outcome of loading sixteen tons.
Another day older and deeper in debt
The progression of aging and increasing debt continues.
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Saint Peter is still warned not to call due to the person's inability to go.
I owe my soul to the company store
The soul remains indebted to the company store.
If you see me comin', better step aside
A warning to step aside when the speaker approaches.
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
Many men failed to heed the warning and perished.
One fist of iron, the other of steel
Describes the speaker's fists, one made of iron and the other of steel.
If the right one don't a-get you, then the left one will
If the right fist doesn't get you, the left one will.
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Reiterates the consequence of loading sixteen tons.
Another day older and deeper in debt
Another day passes, and the burden of debt deepens.
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
Saint Peter is reminded not to call due to the person's inability to go.
I owe my soul to the company store
The person's soul is still bound to the company store by debt.
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