Old Man River
Old Man River: Unveiling the Silent Wisdom of the Flowing Mississippi
Lyrics
Here we all work 'long the Mississippi
Describing the setting along the Mississippi River where people work.
Here we all work while the white folk play
Contrasting the labor of the people with the leisure of white individuals.
Pulling' them boats from the dawn till sunset
Depicting the hard work of pulling boats from dawn till sunset.
Getting no rest till the judgement day
Highlighting the continuous labor without rest until judgment day.
Don't look up and don't look down
Advising not to look up or down, emphasizing submission to authority.
You don't dare make the white boss frown
Warning against displeasing the white boss to avoid consequences.
Bend your knees and bow your head
Encouraging physical submission by bending knees and bowing head.
And pull that rope until you're dead
Describing the extreme act of pulling a rope until death, symbolizing relentless labor.
Let me go 'way from the Mississippi
Expressing a desire to leave the challenging life along the Mississippi.
Let me go 'way from the white man boss
Wishing to escape from the control of the white man boss.
Show me that stream called the River Jordan
Yearning for a symbolic place of freedom, the River Jordan.
That's the old stream that I long to cross
Referring to the desired stream as the old stream to cross.
Old Man River, that Old Man River
Addressing the Mississippi River as "Old Man River," personifying it.
He must know something, but he don't say nothing
Suggesting that the river knows something profound but remains silent.
He just keeps rolling, he keeps on rolling along
Describing the river's continuous and unstoppable flow.
He don't plant taters, and he don't plant cotton
Differentiating the river from human activities like farming.
And them what plants 'em is soon forgotten
Indicating that those who engage in planting are easily forgotten.
But Old Man River, jest keeps rolling along
Reiterating the river's persistence and longevity.
You and me, we sweat and strain
Expressing the shared struggle and effort of the speaker and others.
Bodies all aching and wracked with pain
Describing the physical toll and pain of the labor.
Tote that barge and lift that bale
Instructing to carry heavy loads and perform strenuous tasks.
You get a little drunk and you land in jail
Warning about the consequences of seeking relief through alcohol.
I get weary and so sick of trying
Expressing weariness and frustration from continuous effort.
I'm tired of living, but I'm feared of dying
Conveying a sense of exhaustion and a fear of death.
And Old Man River, he just keeps rolling along
Reiterating the river's unending existence in contrast to human struggles.
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