Here we all work 'long the Mississippi,
Here we all work, while the rich folk play,
Pullin' 'em 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 dares make the boss man frown,
Bend your knees, and bow your head,
And pull that rope until you're dead.
Let me go away from the Mississippi,
Let me go away from the white man boss,
Show me that stream, called the River Jordan,
That's the old stream, that I long to cross.
Chorus:
Old Man River, that Old 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 them what plants 'em are soon forgotten,
But Old Man River, just keeps rollin' along.
You, and me, we sweat and strain,
Body all achin', and racked with pain,
Tote that barge, lift that bale,
You get a little drunk, and you lands in jail.
I gets weary and sick of tryin',
I'm tired of livin', but I'm scared of dyin'
That Old Man River, he just keeps rollin' along.