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Sixteen Tons

Chords

4.7235 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/35

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 35Position: 4

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

[Intro]
e|---------------------------------------|
B|--4h5-4h5--4h5--3--1---1---------------|
G|---------------------2----2--0--1/2----|
D|---------------------------------------|
A|---------------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------|
e|-----------------------------------------------------------0-----------|
B|--4h5-4h5--4h5--3--1---1-----------------------------------1-----------|
G|---------------------2----2--0--1/2--0-----------2---0-----2-----------|
D|----------------------------------------3--2------------3--2-----------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|
[Verse 1]
Some Ampeople say a man is Fmade outta Emud
A Ampoor man's made outta Fmuscle and Eblood
AmMuscle and blood and Dmskin and bone
     AmN.C.
A mind that's weak and a back that's strong
[Chorus]
You load Amsixteen tons and Fwhat do you Eget
AAmnother day older and Fdeeper in Edebt
Saint AmPeter, don't ya call me 'cause DmI can't go
    AmN.C.
I owe my soul to the company store
[Verse 2]
I was Amborn one morning when the Fsun didn't Eshine
I Ampicked up my shovel and I Fwalked to the Emine
I loaded Amsixteen tons of Dmnumber nine coal
            AmN.C.
And the straw boss said, "Well, a-bless my soul!"
[Chorus]
You load Amsixteen tons and Fwhat do you Eget
AAmnother day older and Fdeeper in Edebt
Saint AmPeter, don't you call me 'cause DmI can't go
    AmN.C.
I owe my soul to the company store
[Verse 3]
I was Amborn one morning, it was dFrizzlin' Erain
AmFightin' and trouble are Fmy middle Ename
AmRaised in the canebrake by an Dmold mama lion
            AmN.C.
Ain't no high-tone woman make me walk the line
[Chorus]
You load Amsixteen tons and Fwhat do you Eget
AAmnother day older and Fdeeper in Edebt
Saint AmPeter, don't you call me 'cause DmI can't go
    AmN.C.
I owe my soul to the company store
[Verse 4]
If ya Amsee me coming better Fstep asEide
A Amlotta men didn't and a Flotta men Edied
With Amone fist of iron and the Dmother of steel
           AmN.C.
If the right one don't get you then the left one will
[Chorus]
You load Amsixteen tons and Fwhat do you Eget
AAmnother day older and Fdeeper in Edebt
Saint AmPeter, don't you call me 'cause DmI can't go
N.C.                                  Am  
I owe my soul to the company store

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Sixteen Tons" tells the story of a coal miner, reflecting on a life of relentless labor and debt. It captures the struggle of working hard only to find yourself deeper in obligation, a common theme in folk and country music. Playing this song, you embody the weary but resilient spirit of someone caught in a cycle, where each day brings more toil with little reward.

AI-written from these sources:Johnny Cash — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Sixteen Tons

by Johnny Cash

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Intro]

e|---------------------------------------|

B|--4h5-4h5--4h5--3--1---1---------------|

G|---------------------2----2--0--1/2----|

D|---------------------------------------|

A|---------------------------------------|

E|---------------------------------------|

e|-----------------------------------------------------------0-----------|

B|--4h5-4h5--4h5--3--1---1-----------------------------------1-----------|

G|---------------------2----2--0--1/2--0-----------2---0-----2-----------|

D|----------------------------------------3--2------------3--2-----------|

A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|

E|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|

[Verse 1]

Am F E

Some people say a man is made outta mud

Am F E

A poor man's made outta muscle and blood

Am Dm

Muscle and blood and skin and bone

N.C.

A mind that's weak and a back that's strong

[Chorus]

Am F E

You load sixteen tons and what do you get

Am F E

Another day older and deeper in debt

Am Dm

Saint Peter, don't ya call me 'cause I can't go

N.C.

I owe my soul to the company store

[Verse 2]

Am F E

I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine

Am F E

I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine

Am Dm

I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal

N.C.

And the straw boss said, "Well, a-bless my soul!"

[Chorus]

Am F E

You load sixteen tons and what do you get

Am F E

Another day older and deeper in debt

Am Dm

Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go

N.C.

I owe my soul to the company store

[Verse 3]

Am F E

I was born one morning, it was drizzlin' rain

Am F E

Fightin' and trouble are my middle name

Am Dm

Raised in the canebrake by an old mama lion

N.C.

Ain't no high-tone woman make me walk the line

[Chorus]

Am F E

You load sixteen tons and what do you get

Am F E

Another day older and deeper in debt

Am Dm

Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go

N.C.

I owe my soul to the company store

[Verse 4]

Am F E

If ya see me coming better step aside

Am F E

A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died

Am Dm

With one fist of iron and the other of steel

N.C.

If the right one don't get you then the left one will

[Chorus]

Am F E

You load sixteen tons and what do you get

Am F E

Another day older and deeper in debt

Am Dm

Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go

N.C.

I owe my soul to the company store

About Sixteen Tons Chords by Johnny Cash

Learn how to play Sixteen Tons by Johnny Cash with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Sixteen Tons chords”, “Sixteen Tons guitar chords”, or “Johnny Cash Sixteen Tons chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Sixteen Tons chords and for experienced players who want accurate Sixteen Tons lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B, G, D, A, E, Am.

FAQ — Sixteen Tons by Johnny Cash

How do I play "Sixteen Tons" by Johnny Cash on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Sixteen Tons" by Johnny Cash on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Sixteen Tons" by Johnny Cash free?

Yes. The chords for "Sixteen Tons" by Johnny Cash are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Sixteen Tons" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Sixteen Tons" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Sixteen Tons"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Sixteen Tons" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Sixteen Tons" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Sixteen Tons" by Johnny Cash with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Johnny Cash below.

What key is "Sixteen Tons" in?

The chords for "Sixteen Tons" show the original chord names (including B, G, D, A, E, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.