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, that Ol' Man River He don't say nothin', but he must know somethin' He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along