The Nightwatchman
Lyric guide

16 Tons

Read 16 Tons lyrics by The Nightwatchman on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

The Nightwatchman visibility1 visits Video on page
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: The Nightwatchman Canonical path: /the-nightwatchman/16-tons Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

16 Tons

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

Some people say a man is made out of mud

A poor man's made out of muscle and blood

Muscle and blood and skin and bones

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

You load 16 tons, what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt

Saint peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go

I owe my soul to the company store

Shh

I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine

I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine

Loaded 16 tons of number nine coal

And the straw boss said, "well, a-bless my soul"

16 Tons, what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt

Saint peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go

I owe my soul to the company store

Yeah

I was born one morning, it was drizzling rain

A-fighting and trouble are my middle name

I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion

Ain't no boss man live make me walk the line

I load 16 tons, what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt

Saint peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go

I owe my soul to the company store

So if you see me coming, better step aside

A lot of men didn't, a lot of men died

One fist of iron, the other of steel

If the right one don't get you

Then the left one will

You load 16 tons and what do you get?

Another day older and deeper in debt

Saint peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go

I owe my soul to the company store

To the company store

To the company store

Yeah

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "16 Tons"?

The Nightwatchman performs "16 Tons", and this lyric page sits inside the The Nightwatchman catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "16 Tons"?

Yes. The related section below points to Fabled City and Home of The Brave with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by The Nightwatchman?

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

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on 16 Tons yet.