Some people say a man is made outta dirt
Bow-legged britches and a humpbacked shirt
Ev'ry man has his woman to make him tick
But only the miner has his pick

You load sixteen tons, how do you feel?
Too tired to work, too scared to steal.
Saint Peter, don't you holler for me today
'Cause I'm a-diggin' the other way

Uncle John was a miner, he was long and tall.
Chasin' after women made him end it all.
He could never catch 'em, though he tried,
So old Uncle John laid down and died

(Abbreviated chorus, just repeating the words "Sixteen tons", with sound effects)

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I remember my mama was a-gone at the time
The doctor looked down, and he said, "Oh, my!
I wonder whether he's gonna walk or fly."

(Same abbreviated chorus. with sound effects)

Well, I've shoveled this coal 'til my back is bent.
My get-up-and-go has got up and went.
My wife ran away with my friend Jim.
I don't miss her but I do miss him.

You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Slag in your pants and soaked with sweat.
Tennessee Ernie done made this song
But the pea-picker sung the words all wrong.