L' man river, that ol' man river
He must know somethin' but he don't say nothin'
He just keeps rollin', keeps on rollin' along.
He don't plant tatters, and he don't plant cotton
And them that plants 'em, are soon forgotten.
But ol' man river, just keeps rollin' along.

You and me, we sweat and strain,
Bodies all achin' and racked with pain.
Tote that barge and lift that bail.
You get a little drunk and you lands in jail.
I gets weary and sick of trying
I'm tired of livin', feared of dyin'
And ol' man river, he just keeps rollin'
Just keeps rollin'
Just keeps rollin' along.

Writer : OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II, JEROME KERN
Copyright : Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group