Lyric discussion by billybayou 

Cover art for Sixteen Tons lyrics by Tennessee Ernie Ford

This song is about the coal mining indeed. Though laborers in any field can identify with the downtrodden existance of which mister Travis refers; while taking pride in the power the labor gives his body. Debt bondage is alive and well.

"Saint Peter don't you call me cause I can't go, I owe my soul to the Mastercard Gold."