Ol' man river, that ol' man river
He must know something, but he don't say nothing
That ol' man river, he just keep rollin' along

He don't plant 'taters
He don't plant cotton
Cause them that plants them is soon forgotten
And ol' man river, he just keeps rollin' along

Cause 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
But I get weary and sick of tryin'
Cause I'm tired of livin'
That 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
But I get weary and sick of tryin'
Cause I'm tired of livin'
But I'm scared of dyin'
That ol' man river, he just keeps rollin' along