I was born in a drivin' rain
(yes you was...mmhmm)
It was more of a drizzle...
Fightin' and trouble been my middle name
(nasty boy...look out)
When I come 'round better step aside
Well alotta men didn't
and alotta men died
(doom doom doom doom ba doom)
doom boode doo doode doo doo

Well some folks say a man is made out of mud
A poor man's made out of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood, and skin and bone...
Gotta mind that's weak and a back that's strong

Chorus:

Sixteen tons, whatta you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt.
St. Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company sto'

When I was born, that sun didn't shine
Along came a man who worked in a mine
I shoveled sixteen tons of number 9 coal
And the foreman said "well bless my soul!"

(chorus)

You see me comin', better step aside
Alotta men didn't, alotta men died.
I got one fist of iron the other is steel
If the left one don't getcha,
then the right one will!

(chorus)

(ya know sixteen tons)
Sixteen tons...
(a-whatta you get?)
What do you get?
(another day older and deeper in debt)
Ohhhh...so many broke!
St. Pete don'tcha call me, cuz i can't go.
I owe my soul
(I owe my soul)
I owe my soul
(ooo I owe my soul)
I owe my soul
(oooo owe it to tha company sto')
Company sto'-o-owee-o-do
be-de-whoa-whoa-o-be-do-do-be-do-do
o-o-obe-do-do-be-de-do
I owe my soul....
To the Company stooooo'