Ol' man river, that ol' man river
He must know somethin', but he don't say nothin'
He just keeps rollin'
He keeps on rollin' along

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

You an' me, we sweat an' strain
Body all achin' and wracked with pain
Tote that barge! Lift that bale!
You get a little drunk an' you land in jail

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