Ol' man river
That ol' man river
He must know somethin'
But he don't say nothin'
That ol' man river he just keeps rollin' along

He don't plant taters
He don't plant cotton
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 land in jail

And I get weary
And sick of tryin'
I'm tired of livin'
But I'm scared of dyin'
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 land in jail

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