Sixteen Tons(Chords)

	        
Verse 1:
 
Gm                                  D7 
Some people say a man is made outta mud 
  Gm                               D7 
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood 
Gm                   Cm 
Muscle and blood and skin and bones 
  Gm   N.C. 
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong 


    D7   Gm                           D7 
You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 
 Gm                             D7 
Another day older and deeper in debt 
      Gm                             Cm 
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go 
  Gm  N.C. 
I owe my soul to the company store 


Verse 2:
         Gm                                   D7 
I... was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine 
  Gm                                    D7 
I picked up my shovel and walked to the mine 
         Gm              Cm 
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal 
        Gm    N.C. 
And the straw boss said 'Well, a-bless my soul' 


    D7   Gm                           D7 
You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 
 Gm                             D7 
Another day older and deeper in debt 
      Gm                             Cm 
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go 
  Gm  N.C. 
I owe my soul to the company store 


Verse 3:
   D7     Gm                          D7 
If... you see me comin', better step aside 
  Gm                            D7 
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died 
   Gm                   Cm 
My one fist's iron, the other steel 
           Gm    N.C. 
And if the right one don't getcha then the left one will 


    D7   Gm                           D7 
You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 
 Gm                             D7 
Another day older and deeper in debt 
      Gm                             Cm 
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go 
  Gm  N.C. 
I owe my soul to the company store 


Verse 4:
  D7     Gm                                    D7 
I... was born one mornin' and it was drizzlin' rain 
  Gm                                 D7 
A-fightin' and trouble are my middle name 
      Gm                            Cm 
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion 
           Gm   N.C. 
Can't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line 

 
    D7   Gm                           D7 
You load sixteen tons and what do you get? 
 Gm                             D7 
Another day older and deeper in debt 
      Gm                             Cm 
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go 
  N.C. 
I owe my soul 
D7                N.C. 
   To the company store 

	        

Written by Merle Travis