16 Tons
View chords used in this chart
Intro:
Am G F E
Am G F E
Am G F E
Some people say a man is made outa mud
Am G F E
A poor man's made outa muscle 'n blood...
Am C Dm F
Muscle an' blood an' skin an' bone
Am E Am
A mind that's weak and a back that's strong
[Refrão] Am G F E
You load sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Am G F E
Another day older an' deeper in debt
Am C Dm F
Saint Peter doncha call me 'cause I can't go
Am E Am
I owe my soul to the company sto'
Am G F E
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Am G F E
I picked up my shovel and I went to the mine
Am C Dm F
Loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
Am E Am
And the Strawboss said, "Well, Bless my soul
[Refrão] Am G F E
You load sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Am G F E
Another day older an' deeper in debt
Am C Dm F
Saint Peter doncha call me 'cause I can't go
Am E Am
I owe my soul to the company sto'
Am G F E
I was born one morning it was drizzlin' rain
Am G F E
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
Am C Dm F
I was raised in the cane-break by an' ol' mama hound
Am E Am
Ain't no high-tone woman gonna push me around.
[Refrão] Am G F E
You load sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Am G F E
Another day older an' deeper in debt
Am C Dm F
Saint Peter doncha call me 'cause I can't go
Am E Am
I owe my soul to the company sto'
Am G F E
If ya see me a-comin' ya better step aside
Am G F E
A lotta men din't an' a lotta men died
Am C Dm F
With one fist of iron an' the other of steel
Am E Am
If the right one don' getcha then the left one will.
[Refrão] Am G F E
You load sixteen tons an' whaddya get?
Am G F E
Another day older an' deeper in debt
Am C Dm F
Saint Peter doncha call me 'cause I can't go
Am E Am
I owe my soul to the company sto'
Tabbed by Bob O'Neill 2015
How to play 16 Tons
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Am. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.