Gettin' no rest till the judgment day
And them what plants 'em is soon forgotten
Pullin' them boats from the dawn till sunset
He don't plant taters, and he don't plant cotton
Bend your knees and bow your head
Don't look up and don't look down
You and me, we sweat and strain
Tote that barge and lift that bale
Show me that stream called the River Jordan
But Ol' Man River, jest keeps rollin' along
Bodies all achin' and wracked with pain
Let me go 'way from the white man boss
He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along
Ya get a little drunk and ya lands in ja-ail
And pull that rope until you're dead
That's the old stream that I long to cross
He must know somepin', but he don't say nothin'
Let me go 'way from the Mississippi
I gets weary and so sick of tryin'
Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River
I'm tired of livin', but I'm feared of dyin'
Ya don't dast make the white boss frown
