Intro: Colored folks work on the Mississipi Colored folks work while the white folks play Pullin' those boats from the dawn to sunset Gittin' no rest till the judgement day Don't look up an' don't look down You don't dast make the white boss frown Bend yo' knees bow yo' head, An' pull that hope until yo're dead Let me go'way from the Mississipi Let me go 'way, from the white men boss Show me that stream called the river Jordan That's the ol' stream that I long to cross Ol' man river, ol' man river He must know sumpin' but don't say nothing He jus' keeps rollin'; He keeps on rollin' along He don't planttaters, he don't plant cotton An' them dat plants'em is soon forgoten But ol' man river he jus' keeps rollin' along You an' me we sweat an' strain Body all aching' an' racked wid pain " Tote dat barge". " Lift dat bale " Git a little drunk an' land in jail. Ah gits weary an' sick of tryin' a'm Tired of living' an' skeered of dying' But Ol' man river, he jus' keep rollin' along Ol' man river, ol' man river He must know sumpin' but don't say nothing He jus' keeps rollin', He keeps on rollin' along He don't planttaters, he don't plant cotton An' them dat plants'em is soon forgoten But ol' man river he jus' keeps rollin' along You an' me we sweat an' strain Body all aching' an' racked wid pain " Tote dat barge". " Lift dat bale " Git a little drunk an' land in jail Ah gits weary an' sick of tryin' a'm Tired of living' an' skeered of dying' But Ol' man river, he jus' keep rollin' along