Dere’s an ol’ man called de Mississippi
Dat’s de ol’ man dat I’d like to be!
What does he care if de world’s got troubles?
What does he care if de land ain’t free?
Ol’ man river
Dat ol’ man river
He mus’ know sumpin’
But don’t say nuthin’,
He jes’ keeps rollin’
He keeps on rollin’ along.
He don’ plant taters,
He don’t plant cotton,
An’ dem dat plant ‘em
is soon forgotten,
But ol’ man river,
He jes keeps rollin’ along.
You an’ me, we sweat an’ strain,
Body all achin’ an’ racket wid pain,
Tote dat barge!
