Jerome Kern Ol Man River Lyrics

Ol Man River Lyrics

Performed by Frank Sinatra) 

  

 Here we all work 'long the Mississippi 

 Here we all work while the white folk play 

 Pullin' them boats from the dawn till sunset 

 Gettin' no rest till the judgment day 

  

 Don't look up and don't look down 

 Ya don't dast make the white boss frown 

 Bend your knees and bow your head 

 And pull that rope until you're dead 

  

 Let me go 'way from the Mississippi 

 Let me go 'way from the white man boss 

 Show me that stream called the River Jordan 

 That's the old stream that I long to cross 

 Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River 

 He must know somepin', but he don't say nothin' 

 He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along 

  

 He don't plant taters, and he don't plant cotton 

 And them what plants 'em is soon forgotten 

 But Ol' Man River, jest keeps rollin' along 

  

 You and me, we sweat and strain 

 Bodies all achin' and wracked with pain 

 Tote that barge and lift that bale 

 Ya get a little drunk and ya lands    in ja-ail 

  

 I gets weary and so sick of tryin' 

 I'm tired of livin', but I'm feared of dyin' 

 And Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along