SIXTEEN TONS
JOHNNY CASH

     Am
Some people say a man is made outta mud.
  Am
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood.
Am                    Dm
Muscle and blood, and skin and bone,
  F#7-stop                Am-stop
A mind that's weak, and a back that's strong.


CHORUS:
         Am
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
 Am
Another day older, and deeper in debt.
      Am                             Dm
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go,
  F#7                Am
I owe my soul to the company store.


I was born one morning 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". Chorus

I was born one morning it was drizzling rain.
Fighting and trouble are my middle name.
I was raised in the canebreak by an old mama lion.
Ain't no high toned woman make me walk the line. Chorus

If you ever see me coming better step aside.
A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died.
One fist of iron the other of steel.
If the right one don't get you then the left one will.

Chorus