There's an old man called the Mississippi
Now that's the old man that I long to be
What does he care if the world's got troubles?
What does he care if the land's not free?

Old man river
That old man river
Well he must know something
But he don't say nothin'
He keeps on rollin'
He just keeps rollin' along

Man don't plant taters
And he don't plant cotton
Yes and them that plants 'em
Is soon forgotten
He keeps on rollin'
He just keeps rollin' along

Oh, you and me, we just the same
Body's all achin' and racked with pain
Tote that barge, better lift that bale
You get a little drunk and you land in jail

I get weary and sick of tryin'
Till I'm tired of livin' and I'm scared of dyin'
But old man river keeps on rolling
But old man river it just keeps on rolling
I said that old man river keeps on rolling along

Old man river