Old Man River
Old Man River: An Anthem of Endurance and Struggle
Lyrics
Here we all work 'long the Mississippi
People are working along the Mississippi River.
Here we all work while the white folk play
People work while the white population engages in leisure activities.
Pulling' them boats from the dawn till sunset
Workers pull boats from sunrise to sunset.
Getting no rest till the judgment day
No rest until judgment day implies continuous labor.
Don't look up and don't look down
Advice not to look up or down, emphasizing submission.
You don't dare make the white boss frown
Warning against displeasing the white boss.
Bend your knees and bow your head
Instructions to bow and show deference.
And pull that rope until you're dead
A metaphorical representation of ceaseless labor until death.
Let me go 'way from the Mississippi
Expresses a desire to leave the oppressive Mississippi environment.
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 to find the River Jordan, a symbol of freedom in spiritual terms.
That's the old stream that I long to cross
Desire to cross the old stream, seeking a better life.
Old Man River, that Old Man River
Introducing Old Man River as a symbolic figure.
He must know something, but he don't say nothing
Suggesting that Old Man River knows something profound but remains silent.
He just keeps rolling, he keeps on rolling along
Emphasizing the continuous and relentless flow of time and life.
He don't plant taters, and he don't plant cotton
Contrasting Old Man River's lack of agricultural activities with human toil.
And them what plants 'em is soon forgotten
Highlighting the fleeting nature of human achievements.
But Old Man River, jest keeps rolling along
Despite human efforts being forgotten, Old Man River persists.
You and me, we sweat and strain
Expressing the physical toll of labor through sweat and strain.
Bodies all aching and wracked with pain
Describing the bodies as aching and in pain due to hard work.
Tote that barge and lift that bale
Describes the manual labor of carrying and lifting heavy loads.
You get a little drunk and you land in jail
Consequences of seeking solace in alcohol leading to imprisonment.
I get weary and so sick of trying
Expressing weariness and frustration with life's challenges.
I'm tired of living, but I'm feared of dying
The paradox of being tired of living but afraid of dying.
And Old Man River, he just keeps rolling along
Reiteration of Old Man River's eternal persistence.
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