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