16 Tons
View chords used in this chart
Intro: Am G F E (2x)
Verse 1
Am G F E
Some people say a man is made out of mud
Am G F E
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood...
Am C Dm F
Muscle and blood skin and bone
Am E Am E
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
[Refrão] Am G F E
You load sixteen tons and whaddya get?
Am G F E
A-nother day older and deeper in debt
Am C Dm F
Saint Peter dontcha call me 'cause I can't go
Am E Am
I owe my soul to the company store
Verse 2
Am G F E
I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine
Am G F E
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
Am C Dm F
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
Am E Am
The strawboss said Well, Bless my soul!
[Refrão] Am G F E
You load sixteen tons and whaddya get?
Am G F E
A-nother day older and deeper in debt
Am C Dm F
Saint Peter dontcha call me 'cause I can't go
Am E Am
I owe my soul to the company store
Verse 3
Am G F E
I was born one morning it was drizzling rain
Am G F E
Fighting and trouble are my middle name
Am C Dm F
I was raised in the cane-break by an old mama lion
Am E Am
Can't no hot-coloured woman make me haunt the line
[Refrão] Am G F E
You load sixteen tons and whaddya get
Am G F E
A-nother day older and deeper in debt
Am C Dm F
Saint Peter dontcha call me 'cause I, I can't go
Am E Am
I owe my soul to the company store
Verse 4
Bbm Ab F# F
If you see me coming better step a-side
Bbm Ab F# F
A lotta men didn't a lotta men died
Bbm C# Ebm F#
I got one fist of iron the other of steel
Bbm F Bbm
If the right one don't get ya then the left one will
Am G F E
[Refrão]You load up sixteen tons and whaddya get
Am G F E
A-nother day older and deeper in debt
Am C Dm F
Saint Peter dontcha call me 'cause I can't go
Am E Am
I owe my soul to the company store
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.