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 until 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 don't say nothin', but must know somepin' He just keeps rollin', and keeps on rollin' along He don't plant cotton, he don't plant taters And them what plants 'em is soon forgotten But Ol' Man River, 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 Ya get a little drunk and ya lands in ja-ail I get 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