Make the Waterwheel Roll
Rolling Against the Current: A Worker's Anthem
Lyrics
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Emphasizing the need to keep the waterwheel turning for a task at hand.
Bossman bossman my hands're cold (shut up boy and make the waterwheel roll)
Expressing discomfort, possibly due to harsh conditions, while being instructed by the bossman.
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Reiterating the importance of making the waterwheel roll.
Grind that corn and make that meal the bossman's belly just gotta be filled
Highlighting the task of grinding corn to produce a meal to satisfy the bossman's hunger.
Grind that corn and make that bread the bossman's young un's all gotta be fed
Connecting the grinding of corn to the need to feed the bossman's children.
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Repeating the urgency of keeping the waterwheel in motion.
Bossman bossman he sure is mean thinks of my body as a steam machine
Describing the bossman as harsh and viewing the worker as a mere machine.
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Reemphasizing the necessity of making the waterwheel roll.
Ole Willie John don't work too hard cause he's got a woman in the rich man's yard
Introducing Ole Willie John, who avoids excessive work due to a romantic involvement.
I want to run away but I'd be found cause the bossman's got two big blood hounds
Expressing the desire to escape but fearing the bossman's pursuit with bloodhounds.
Make the waterwheel roll...
Repeating the call to keep the waterwheel rolling.
Feel that rhythm in my soul sing my song while the waterwheel rolls
Finding solace and expression in music while working on the waterwheel.
Workin' all day in the cold cold rain I wish my Lord would call my name
Enduring hard labor in unfavorable weather conditions, hoping for divine intervention.
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Repeating the plea to make the waterwheel roll, reinforcing its central importance.
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
-Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
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