Sixteen Tons
Johnny Cash
Key of Am · Chords: III V VI i iv
Open in Bluegrass Book: transpose, play alongVerse 1
Am F E Some people say a man is made outta mud Am F E A poor man's made outta muscle and blood Am Dm Muscle and blood and skin and bone Am C A mind that's weak and a back that's strong
Chorus
Am F E You load sixteen tons and what do you get Am F E Another day older and deeper in debt Am Dm Saint Peter, don't ya call me 'cause I can't go Am C I owe my soul to the company store
Verse 2
Am F E I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine Am F E I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine Am Dm I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal Am C And the straw boss said, "Well, a-bless my soul!"
Chorus
Am F E You load sixteen tons and what do you get Am F E Another day older and deeper in debt Am Dm Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go Am C I owe my soul to the company store
Verse 3
Am F E I was born one morning, it was drizzlin' rain Am F E Fightin' and trouble are my middle name Am Dm Raised in the canebrake by an old mama lion Am C Ain't no high-tone woman make me walk the line
Chorus
Am F E You load sixteen tons and what do you get Am F E Another day older and deeper in debt Am Dm Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go Am C I owe my soul to the company store
Verse 4
Am F E If ya see me coming better step aside Am F E A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died Am Dm With one fist of iron and the other of steel Am C If the right one don't get you then the left one will
Chorus
Am F E You load sixteen tons and what do you get Am F E Another day older and deeper in debt Am Dm Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go C Am I owe my soul to the company store