Sixteen Tons
View chords used in this chart
[Verso 1]
F#m
Some people say man is made out of mud
F#m
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
F#m Bm
Muscle and blood and skin and bone
C# F#m
You've got a mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
[Refrão]
F#m C#
You load sixteen tons and what do you get
F#m C#
Another day older and deeper in debt
F#m Bm
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
F#m
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
F#m D C#
Saint Peter don't you call me to the company store
F#m Bm
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
Come on
( F#m E D C# )
( F#m E D C# )
[Verso 2]
F#m E D C#
I was born on a mornin' when the sun didn't shine
F#m E D C#
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
F#m A Bm
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
F#m N.C
And the store-boss said "Well-a bless my soul"
[Refrão]
F#m E D C#
You load sixteen tons and what do you get
F#m E D C#
Another day older and deeper in debt
F#m A Bm
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
( F#m E D C# )
[Verso 3]
F#m E D C#
I was born one mornin', in the drizzlin' rain
F#m E D C#
Fightin' and trouble have been my middle name
F#m A Bm
I was raised in the cane-brake by an old mama lion
C#m C#7
Cain't no a high-tone woman make me walk the line
[Refrão]
F#m E D C#
Yea, sixteen tons and what do you get?
F#m E D C#
Another day older and deeper in debt
F#m A Bm
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
F#m
I owe my soul to the company store
[Ponte]
F#m G#m
I own my soul
[Verso 4]
G#m D#
If you see me comin', better step aside
G#m F# E D#
A lot of men didn't a lot of men died
G#m B C#m
One fist of iron, and the other of steel
D#m D#7
If the left don't gotcha, then the right one will you load
[Refrão]
D#
Sixteen tons (what do you get?)
G#m F# E D#
Another day older and deeper in debt
G#m F# E D#
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
D# G#m
I owe my soul to the company store
G#m
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
G#m E D#
Saint Peter don't you call me to the company store
G#m B C#m D#
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
D# G#m
I owe my soul to the company-y, store
D# G#m
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
How to play Sixteen 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 F#m. 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.