Paul Robeson

Ol Man River

Paul Robeson


Tom: G

G                                  C
There's an old man called the Mississippi
G                                  D7
That's the old man that I wants to be
Em                                   Am
What does he care if the world's got troubles
Em                  Am       D7         G
What does he care if the land ain't free

[Verse 1]
G       C           G       C 
Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River, 
   G         C               G         C 
he don't say nothin', but he must know somethin', 
   D          D7          D        D7      G      C G C 
he just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along. 

   G           C               G           C 
He don't plant tatters, and he don't plant cotton, 
    G         Bm             Em      F#7 
and them what plants em, are soon forgotten 
    D       Am     D          C       G      C G 
But Ol' Man River, just keeps rollin' along. 

[Chorus]  
Bm      Em     Bm        Em 
You and me, we sweat and strain, 
Bm       Em         Bm          Em 
body all achin' and racked with pain. 
Bm        F#7        Bm        F#7 
Tote that barge and lift that bail, 
    Bm           F#7            Bm       Am    D 
you get a little drunk and you lands in jail. 

[Outro]  
G      C          G       C 
I gets weary, and sick of trying, 
    G        Am              Em        A7 
I'm tired of livin', but I'm scared of dyin', 
    G       Em        Am         D7      G      C G 
but Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along.