Here we all work 'long the Mississippi

Here we all work while the white folks play

Pullin' them boats from the dawn 'til sunset

Gettin' no rest 'til the judgment day



Don't look up, don't look down

You don't dare make the bossman frown

Bend your knees, bow your head

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 ol' stream that I long to cross



Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River

He don't say nothin', but he must know somethin'

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



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

And then what plants 'em are 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 and lift that bale

You get a little drunk and you land in jail



I gets weary and sick of tryin'

I'm tired of living but I'm scared of dyin'

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

Ol' Man River...