What key is "Sixteen Tons" in?

"Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford is in the key of G with a tempo of 112 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Sixteen Tons" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "Sixteen Tons" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

How long does it take to learn "Sixteen Tons" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Tennessee Ernie Ford can I play here?

Try "The Ballad Of Davy Crockett", "The Ballad Of Davy Crockett", "This Is My Country". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Some (Em)peo ple say a man is made out of mud.

A (Em)poor man’s made out of mus cle and (B)blood.

(Em)mus cle and blood, and (Am)skin and bones, a (C7)mind that’s (Em)weak and a (Em)back that’s (B7)strong.

You load (Em)six teen (Em)tons, and (Em)what do you get?

(B)An (Em)oth er day (Em)old er and (Em)deep er in debt.

(B)Saint (Em)Pe ter, don’t you call me ’cause (Am)I can’t go.

I (C)owe my (Em)soul to the (Em)com pa ny store.

I was (Em)peo ple say a man is made out of mud.

A (Em)poor man’s made out of mus cle and (B)blood.

(Em)mus cle and blood, and (Am)skin and bones, a (C7)mind that’s (Em)weak and a (Em)back that’s (B7)strong.

You load (Em)six teen (Em)tons, and (Em)what do you get?

(B)An (Em)oth er day (Em)old er and (Em)deep er in debt.

(B)Saint (Em)Pe ter, don’t you call me ’cause (Am)I can’t go.

I (C)owe my (Em)soul to the (Em)com pa ny store.

I was

I (C#)owe my (C7)soul to the (B7)com pa ny (Em)store.

Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford

1 person has learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of G at 112 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Sixteen Tons”

What key is "Sixteen Tons" in?: "Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford is in the key of G with a tempo of 112 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Sixteen Tons" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "Sixteen Tons" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
How long does it take to learn "Sixteen Tons" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Tennessee Ernie Ford can I play here?: Try "The Ballad Of Davy Crockett", "The Ballad Of Davy Crockett", "This Is My Country". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.