Sixteen Tons Chords
by Jerry Reed
Sixteen Tons by Jerry Reed is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of Eb. It uses the chords C, G, Am, Dm and E. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
Intro: C G Am C G Am
C G Am Dm
Some people say man is made out of mud
Am E
A poor man's made out of muscle and blood
Am Dm
Muscle and blood and skin and bone
Am E
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
Am Dm
You load sixteen tons and what do you get
Am E
An- other day older and deeper in debt
Am Dm
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
E
I owe my soul to the company store
Am
Owe my soul, owe my soul to company store
C G Am C G
Owe my soul to the company store
Am Dm
Well, I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Am E
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
Am Dm
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
Am E
And the store-boss said, "Son, bless my soul"
Am Dm
You load sixteen tons and what do you get
Am E
An- other day older and deeper in debt
Am Dm
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
E
I owe my soul to the company store, owe my soul, owe my soul
Solo: Am Dm Am E Am Dm E Am Am
Am Dm
I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Am E
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
Am Dm
I was raised in the wood by mama lion
Am E
No, a high-tone woman make me walk the line
Am Dm
You load sixteen tons and what do you get
Am E
An- other day older and deeper in debt
Am Dm
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
E
I owe my soul to the company store
Am C G
Owe my soul, owe my soul to company store
Am C G
To the company store
Am Dm
If you see me comin', better step aside
Am E
A lot of men didn't and a lot of men died
Am Dm
One fist of iron, the other of steel
Am G E
If the right one don't git ya, son, then left one will
Am Dm
You load sixteen tons and what do you get
Am E
An- other day older and deeper in debt
Am Dm
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
E
I owe my soul to the company store
E Am
Owe my soul, owe my soul, owe my soul --- oh
Am Dm Am Dm
Sixteen tons, I owe my soul, sixteen tons to the company store
Am Dm Am Dm
Sixteen tons, I owe my soul, sixteen tons to the company store