Ol' Man River

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 till the judgment day.

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.

Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River
He must know somethin', but he don't say nothin'
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 is soon forgotten
But Ol' Man River, he 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
Get a little drunk and you lands in jail.

I gets weary and sick of tryin'
I'm tired of livin', but feared of dyin'
And Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along.