I saw several renditions of this tune (T.E.F./Johnny Cash/Merle Travis/Jimmy Dean and Tom Jones.
All were different so I decided to create a version myself.
Hope you like it.
Sixteen Tons - Various
Intro: Am / F /\ E\ E7 Am
V1.
Am F Dm E
Some people say a man is made outa mud,
Am F Dm E
a poor man's made outa muscle 'n blood...
Am F Dm E
Muscle an' blood an' skin an' bone,
Am F E7 E
a mind that's weak and a back that's strong.
Chorus
E E7 Am F Dm E
You load sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Am F Dm E
another day older an' deeper in debt;
Am F Dm
Saint Peter doncha call me 'cause I can't go,
Am F E E7 Am
I owe my soul to the company store.
Am / F /\ E\ E7 Am
V2.
Am F Dm E
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine,
Am F Dm E
I Picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine;
Am F Dm E
I Loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal,
Am F Dm E
and the straw boss said, "Well, Bless my soul!"
Chorus
V3.
Am F Dm E
I was born one mornin' it was drizzlin' rain,
Am F Dm E
fightin' and trouble are my middle names;
Am F Dm E
I was raised in the canebreak by an' ol' mama hound,
Am F Dm E
ain't no high-tone woman gonna push me around.
Chorus
V4.
Am F Dm E
If ya see me a-comin' ya better step aside,
Am F Dm E
A lotta men didn't an' a lotta men died;
Am Dm
With one fist of iron an' the other of steel,
Am F Am
If the right one don' getcha then the left one will.
Outro:
E E7 Am F Dm E
You load sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Am F Dm E
another day older an' deeper in debt;
Am F Dm
Saint Peter doncha call me 'cause I can't go..o..o..o..o,
Am Am7 F
I ow..e m..y s..o..u..l;
Dm7 E E7 Am
to the com..pan..y sto..re.
Am / F /\ E\ E7 Am........
