Here we all work 'long the Mississippi

Here we all work while the white folk play

Pullin' them boats from the dawn till sunset

Gettin' no rest till the judgment day



Don't look up and don't look down

Ya don't dast 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 somepin', but he don't say nothin'

He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along



He don't plant taters, and he don't plant cotton

And them what plants 'em is soon forgotten

But Ol' Man River, jest keeps rollin' along



You and me, we sweat and strain

Bodies all achin' and wracked with pain

Tote that barge and lift that bale

Ya get a little drunk and ya lands in ja-ail



I gets weary and so sick of tryin'

I'm tired of livin', but I'm feared of dyin'

And Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along