Lyrics as recorded by George Davis, WKIZ, Hazard, KY, Nov 15-16, 1966, reprinted ibid. CHORUS: I loaded sixteen tons and what do I get Another day older and deeper in debt. Saint Peter don't call me cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store. I was born one morning, was a drizzling rain A fussing and fighting ain't my middle name. Well they raised me in a corner by a Mammy hound I'm as mean as a dog but I'm as gentle as a lamb. CHORUS Well I got up one morning, the sun didn't shine, I picked up my shovel and I went to the mine, I loaded sixteen ton of that number four coal The face boss said, ''Well bless my soul!" CHORUS I loaded sixteen tons, I tried to get ahead, Got deeper and deeper in debt instead. Well they got what I made, and they wanted some more, And now I owe my soul at the company store. CHORUS Well I went to the office to draw some script The man, he told me -- was a wreck in the dip. To clear the tracks would be a week or more But your credit's still good at our company store. CHORUS If you see me coming, step aside. A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died I got a fist of iron, I got a fist of steel, The left one don't get you then the right one will. CHORUS http://www.folkarchive.de/sixteen2.html

• published: 01 Mar 2014
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