Show Boat
Jerome Kern / Oscar Hammerstein Ii · Show Boat
1 Contributor
Ol’ Man River (Show Boat) Lyrics
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
You don't das make the boss man frown
Bend your knees and bow your head
And pull that rope until your 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 don't say nothin', but he must know somethin'
He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along
He don't plant tatters, and he don't plant cotton
And them what plants em, are soon forgotten
But ol' man river, just keeps rollin' along
You and me, we sweat and strain
Body 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', but I'm scared of dyin'
But ol' man river, he just keeps rollin' along
Ol’ Man River (Show Boat) Lyrics
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
You don't das make the boss man frown
Bend your knees and bow your head
And pull that rope until your 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 don't say nothin', but he must know somethin'
He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along
He don't plant tatters, and he don't plant cotton
And them what plants em, are soon forgotten
But ol' man river, just keeps rollin' along
You and me, we sweat and strain
Body 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', but I'm scared of dyin'
But ol' man river, he just keeps rollin' along
About Show Boat
"Show Boat" is part of Jerome Kern / Oscar Hammerstein Ii's recorded catalog and should be introduced with a light editorial touch. The song title creates the first impression, but the lasting effect comes from the interaction of melody, production, and delivery. Some listings preserve version details or featured credits, so the description should stay cautious about background unless confirmed by dedicated music references. Even with that restraint, the song can be framed around its emotional or rhythmic purpose: whether it invites movement, reflection, release, or tension. "Show Boat" gives listeners one more route into Jerome Kern / Oscar Hammerstein Ii's musical identity.