Ol' Man River
Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra Lyrics
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He must know somethin' but he don't say nothin'
He just keeps rollin', keeps on rollin' along.
He don't plant tatters, and he don't plant cotton
And them that plants 'em, are soon forgotten.
But ol' man river, just keeps rollin' along.
You and me, we sweat and strain,
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', feared of dyin'
And ol' man river, he just keeps rollin'
Just keeps rollin'
Just keeps rollin' along.
The lyrics to Ralph Sharon & His Orchestra's song Ol' Man River are about the Mississippi River – the longest river in North America. The song is from the point of view of the river, which is personified as a wise old man who has seen everything and knows everything but never shares his wisdom. The lyrics suggest that the river has witnessed the struggles and hardships of people who have worked on its banks, but it has remained indifferent to their suffering.
The first stanza highlights the cyclical nature of the river, which keeps rolling along without any regard for human concerns. The river symbolizes the indifference of nature, which is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The second stanza contrasts the physical toil of human workers with the indifferent flow of the river. The river serves as a metaphor for the human struggle, which is endless and often unappreciated. The last line of the stanza suggests that the people who work on the river will eventually be forgotten while the river continues to roll along.
The third stanza expresses the weariness and despair of the singer, who is tired of working hard but getting nowhere. He is tired of the cycle of suffering that he sees around him and fears for his own mortality. The final line of the song suggests that the river, in contrast to the hardships of human existence, simply keeps flowing without a care in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
L' man river, that ol' man river
The river is ancient and has seen many things
He must know somethin' but he don't say nothin'
The river has observed many things in its time but doesn't reveal them
He just keeps rollin', keeps on rollin' along.
The river will keep flowing endlessly without stopping
He don't plant tatters, and he don't plant cotton
The river doesn't cultivate crops or engage in human activities
And them that plants 'em, are soon forgotten.
Those who cultivate crops will be replaced by new generations and will be forgotten over time
But ol' man river, just keeps rollin' along.
Despite the changes in the world and the passing of time, the river remains constant and unchanging
You and me, we sweat and strain,
Humans toil and struggle in their lives
Bodies all achin' and racked with pain.
Physical labor causes pain and exhaustion
Tote that barge and lift that bail.
Working on ships and handling heavy loads is difficult
You get a little drunk and you lands in jail.
Alcohol can lead to poor decisions and consequences
I gets weary and sick of trying
The singer is tired and discouraged by their efforts
I'm tired of livin', feared of dyin'
The artist is tired of life and is afraid of death
And ol' man river, he just keeps rollin'
The river continues on despite the troubles of human life
Just keeps rollin'
The river never stops flowing
Just keeps rollin' along.
The river persists despite everything else changing around it
Lyrics © UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING,
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind