Ol' Man River (from "Showboat")

Here we all work 'long the Mississippi
Here we all work, while the white boys play
Pullin' them boats from the dawn till sunset
Gettin' no rest till the judgment day

You don't look up, you don't look down
You don't dare make the white boss frown
Bend your knees and bow your head
And pull that rope until you're dead

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, and he don't plant cotton
And them that plants 'em is soon forgotten
But Ol' Man River, it just keeps rollin' along

You and me, we sweat and strain
Bodies all achin' and wracked with pain
Tote that barge and lift that bale
Get a little drunk and ya lands in jail

I get weary and so sick of tryin'
I'm tired of livin', but feared of dyin'
And Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along