Ol' Man River

There's an old man called the Mississippi

That's the old man I don't like to be

What does he care if the world's got troubles?

What does he care if the land ain't free?

Don't look up and don't look down

You don't dare 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

Old man river

That old man river

He must know somethin'

But don't say nothin'

He just keeps rollin'

He keeps on rollin' along

He don't plant taters

He don't plant cotton

And them that plants them is soon forgotten

But old man river

He just keeps rollin' along

You and me, we sweat and strain

Bodies all achin' and wracked with pain

Tote that barge, lift that bale

You show a little grit and you land in jail

But I keep laughin' instead of cryin'

I must keep fightin' until I'm dyin'

And old man river

He just keeps rollin' along