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Cover by Merle Travis

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Some people say a man is made outta mud A poor man's made outta muscle and blood Muscle and blood

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and skin and bones A mind that's weak and a back that's strong Sixteen tons, what do you get

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Another day older and deeper in debt Saint Peter don't you call 'cause I can't go I

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owe my soul to the company store

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middle names I've got one st of iron, another of steel and if the right one don't a -get you

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then the left one will Sixteen tons, what do you get Another day older and

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deeper in debt Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store

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I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine I picked up my shovel and I went to the mine I loaded sixteen tons of

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number nine coal and the boss man said bless my soul Sixteen tons, what do you get

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Another day older and deeper in debt Saint Peter don't you call 'cause I can't go I sold my soul to the company store

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