I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine

Picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine

I hauled Sixteen Tons of number 9 coal

And the store boss said, ""Well, bless my soul""

(Chorus:)

You haul Sixteen Tons, whadaya 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

Repeat Chorus

Born one morning it was drizzl'n rain

Fightin' and Trouble are my middle name

I was raised in a canebrake by an old mama lion

And no high-toned woman make me walk the line

Repeat Chorus

See me comin' better step aside

A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died

I got one fist of iron and the other of steel

And if the right one don't get ya, the left one will

Repeat Chorus

Born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine

Picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine

I hauled Sixteen Tons of number 9 coal

And the store boss said, ""Well, bless my soul""