Here we all work 'long the Mississippi Here we all work while the white folk play Pulling' them boats from the dawn till sunset Getting 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 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 something, but he don't say nothing He just keeps rolling, he keeps on rolling along He don't plant taters, and he don't plant cotton And them what plants 'em is soon forgotten But Old Man River, jest keeps rolling along You and me, we sweat and strain Bodies all aching and wracked with pain Tote that barge and lift that bale You get a little drunk and you land in jail I get weary and so sick of trying I'm tired of living, but I'm feared of dying And Old Man River, he just keeps rolling along