Ol' Man River

Dere's an ol' man called de Mississippi Dat's de ol' man dat I'd like to be What does he care if de world's got troubles What does he care if de land ain't free Ol' man river, dat ol' man river He mus' know sumpin', but don't say nuthin' He jes' keeps rollin' He keeps on rollin' along He don' plant taters, he don't plant cotton An' dem dat plants' em is soon forgotten But ol'man river He jes' keeps rollin' along You an' me, we sweat an' strain Body all achin' an' wracked wid pain, Tote dat barge! Lif' dat bale! Git a little drunk an' you lands in jail Ah gits weary an' sick of tryin' Ah'm tired of livin' an' skeered of dyin' But ol' man river He jes' keeps rolling' along Niggers all work on de Mississippi** Niggers all work while de white folks play** Pullin' dose boats from de dawn to sunset Gittin' no rest till de judgement day (Don't look up an' don't look down) (You don' dar'st make de white boss frown) (Bend your knees an' bow your head) (An' pull dat rope until you're dead) Let me go 'way from the Mississippi Let me go 'way from de white man boss Show me dat stream called de river Jordan Dat's de ol' stream dat I long to cross (Ol' man river, dat ol' man river) (He mus' know sumpin', but don't say nothin') (He just keeps rollin') (He keeps on rollin' along) Long, low river Forever keeps rollin' (Don' plant taters, he don' plant cotton) (And dem dat plants' em is soon forgotten) (But ol' man river (He jes' keeps rollin' along) Long low river Keeps singin' dis song You an' me, we sweat an' strain Body all achin' and wracked wid pain Tote dat barge! Lift dat bale! Git a little drunk and ya lands in jail Ah gits weary an' sick o' tryin' Ah'm tired o livin' an' skeered o' dyin' But ol' man river He jes' keeps rollin' along! --- Ol' Man River - Al Jolson