Ol’ Man River

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
You don’t dare make the white boss frown
Bend your knees and bow your head
And pull that rope until you’re dead

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 taters, he don’t plant cotton
And then that plants ‘em is soon forgotten
But Ol’ Man River, he just keeps rollin’ along

You and me, we sweat and strain
Bodies all achin’ and wracked with pain
Tote that barge and lift that bale
Get a little drunk and you land in jail

I get weary and sick of tryin’
I’m tired of livin’, but free of dyin’
But Old Man River, he just keeps rollin’ along