Lyrics Ol’ Man River - Jerome Kern

There's an old man called the Mississippi
That's the old man that I'd like to be
What does he care if the world's got troubles?
What does he care if the land ain't free?

Ol' man river
That ol' 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 'em
Is soon forgotten
But ol' man river
He just keeps rollin' along

You and me, we sweat and strain
Body all achin' and wracked with pain
Tote that barge
Lift that bale
Get a little drunk and you lands in jail

I gets weary and sick of tryin'
I'm tired of livin'
And scared o' dyin'
But ol' man river
He just keeps rollin' along

Colored folks work on the Mississippi
Colored folks work while the white folks play
Pullin' those boats from the dawn to sunset
Gettin' no rest till the judgment day

Don't look up
And don't look down
You don't dast make
The white folks frown
Bend yo' knee
And bow yo' 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 ol' stream that I long to cross

Ol' man river
That ol' man river
He must know somethin'
But don't say nothin'
He just keeps rollin'
He keeps on rollin' along (Long ol' river)

(Forever keeps rollin' on) Don't plant 'taters
He don't plant cotton
And them that plants 'em
Is soon forgotten
But ol' man river
He just keeps rollin' along (Long ol' river)
(Keep hearin' that song)

You and me
We sweat and strain
Body all achin' and wracked with pain
Tote that barge!
Lift that bale!
Get a little drunk and you lands in jail (ooh)

I gets weary and sick of tryin'
I'm tired of livin'
And scared of dyin'
But ol' man river
He just keeps rollin' along