Ol’ Man River Chords & Lyrics Artist: Paul Robeson

INTRO
G                                  C
There's an old man called the Mississippi
G                                  D7
That's the old man that I wants to be
Em                                   Am
What does he care if the world's got troubles
Em                  Am       D7         G
What does he care if the land ain't free
 
VERSE 1
G       C           G       C
Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River, 
   G         C               G         C
he don't say nothing, but he must know something, 
   D          D7          D        D7      G      C G C
he just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along. 
 
   G           C               G           C
He don't plant tatters, and he don't plant cotton, 
    G         Bm             Em      F#7
and them what plants em, are soon forgotten 
    D       Am     D          C       G      C G
But Ol' Man River, just keeps rollin' along. 
 
CHORUS
Bm      Em     Bm        Em
You and me, we sweat and strain, 
Bm       Em         Bm          Em
body all achin' and racked with pain. 
Bm        F#7        Bm        F#7
Tote that barge and lift that bail, 
    Bm           F#7            Bm       Am    D
you get a little drunk and you lands in jail. 
 
OUTRO
G      C          G       C
I gets weary, and sick of trying, 
    G        Am              Em        A7
I'm tired of livin', but I'm scared of dyin', 
    G       Em        Am         D7      G      C G
but Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along.