[E. Pluribus Unum]

Sixteen Tons Lyrics

Sixteen Tons Lyrics

Tennessee Ernie Ford

Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong

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

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"

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

I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Cain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line

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

If you see me comin', better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you
Then the left one will

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

[frank ballenger]

RE: Saint Peter don’t you call me...

As a kid when the song came out on the radio, I used to wonder how could Saint Peter judge us and block us at the Pearly Gates of Heaven when he was the one who denied Jesus three times after promising to support him.

Later found that a myth and popular folklore was added to the truth which is Christ judges every person, and Peter is not guarding or judging. Bible never said Peter does that.

[central_va]

Remember that song. “Timothy”? A song about a mine collapse and cannibalism. No song like it.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

You’re welcome:

A stack of 16 tons of coal would be roughly the same volume as a room approximately 8 feet wide, 8 feet long, and 10 feet high, based on the approximation of 40 cubic feet per ton.

Too tired to type more now...