There's an ol' man called de Mississippi; 
That's the ol' man I don't like to be! 
What does he care if the world's got troubles? 
What does he care if the land ain't free.. 
Ol' Man River, 
That Ol' Man River 
He mus' know sumpin' But don't say nuthin', 
He jes' keeps rollin', 
He keeps on rollin' along. 
He don't 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' racked wid pain - 
Tote that barge and 
Lif' dat bale! 
You show a little grit and 
You lands in jail... 
But I keeps laffin' instead of cryin' 
I must keep fightin'; 
Until I'm dyin' 
And Ol' Man River, 
He just keeps rollin' along