Here we all work 'long the Mississippi
Here we all work while the white folk play
Pullin' them boats from the dawn 'til sunset
Gettin' no rest 'til the judgment day Don't look up and don't look down
You don't das make the white boss frown
Bend your knees and bow your head
And pull that rope until you're dead Let me go 'way from the Mississippi
Let me go 'way from the white man boss
Show me that stream called the River Jordan
That's the old stream that I long to cross Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River
He must know somethin' but he don't say nothin'
He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along He don't plant tatters and he don't plant cotton
And them what plants 'em is soon forgotten
But Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along You and me, we sweat and strain
Body all achin' and racked with pain
Tote that barge, lift that bail
Get a little drunk and you lands in jail I gets weary and so sick of tryin'
I'm tired of livin' and I'm feared of dyin'
And Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along