Rockapella
Lyric guide

Sixteen Tons

Read Sixteen Tons lyrics by Rockapella on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

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Page type: lyric reference Artist: Rockapella Canonical path: /rockapella/sixteen-tons Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

Sixteen Tons

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I was born in a drivin' rain

(yes you was...mmhmm)

It was more of a drizzle...

Fightin' and trouble been my middle name

(nasty boy...look out)

When I come 'round better step aside

Well alotta men didn't

and alotta men died

(doom doom doom doom ba doom)

doom boode doo doode doo doo

Well some folks say a man is made out of mud

A poor man's made out of muscle and blood

Muscle and blood, and skin and bone...

Gotta mind that's weak and a back that's strong

Chorus:

Sixteen tons, whatta you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt.

St. Peter, don't you call me, 'cause I can't go

I owe my soul to the company sto'

When I was born, that sun didn't shine

Along came a man who worked in a mine

I shoveled sixteen tons of number 9 coal

And the foreman said "well bless my soul!"

(chorus)

You see me comin', better step aside

Alotta men didn't, alotta men died.

I got one fist of iron the other is steel

If the left one don't getcha,

then the right one will!

(chorus)

(ya know sixteen tons)

Sixteen tons...

(a-whatta you get?)

What do you get?

(another day older and deeper in debt)

Ohhhh...so many broke!

St. Pete don'tcha call me, cuz i can't go.

I owe my soul

(I owe my soul)

I owe my soul

(ooo I owe my soul)

I owe my soul

(oooo owe it to tha company sto')

Company sto'-o-owee-o-do

be-de-whoa-whoa-o-be-do-do-be-do-do

o-o-obe-do-do-be-de-do

I owe my soul....

To the Company stooooo'

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Who performs "Sixteen Tons"?

Rockapella performs "Sixteen Tons", and this lyric page sits inside the Rockapella catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Sixteen Tons"?

Yes. The related section below points to Sixty Minute Man and 500 Miles with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Rockapella?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Rockapella's lyric pages.

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