[DISCLAIMER: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
From the 1927 musical play “Showboat”.
words by Oscar Hammerstein II
music by Jerome Kern
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
Niggers all work on de Mississippi
Niggers all work while de white folks play
Pulling dose boats from de dawn to sunset
Gittin’ no rest till de judgement day
Don’t look up an’ don’t look down
You don’t dast make de white boss frown
Bend your knees an’ bow yo’ head
An’ pull dat rope until yo’re dead
Let me go ‘way from de Mississippi
Let me go ‘way from de white men boss
Show me dat stream called de river Jordan
Dat’s de ol’ stream dat I long to cross
Burthen
Ol’ man river, dat ol’ man river
He must know sumpin’, but don’t say nothin’
He just keeps rollin’, he keeps on rollin’ along
He don’t plant ‘taters, he don’t plant cotton
An’ dem dat plants ’em is soon forgotten
But ol’ man river he jes keeps rollin’ along
You an’ me, we sweat and strain
Body all achin’ an’ racked wid pain
“Tote dat barge” “Lift dat bale”
Git a little drunk an’ you’ll land in jail
Ah gits weary an’ sick of tryin’
Ahm tired of livin’, an’ feared of dyin’
But Ol’ man river he jes keeps rollin’ along
Sung here by Fred Feild: