Ol' Man River
Taylor Martin Lyrics

Ol' man river
The river is old and wise, and has been around longer than anyone and anything else.

That ol' man river
This is a direct reference to the river that the singer is talking about.

He don't say nothing
The physical river doesn't speak, but it has a presence that can be felt by those in close proximity to it.

But he must know something
The river has seen so much over time that it must know things that can't be learned from books or other means of education.

Cause he just keeps rolling
Despite everything around it changing, the river just keeps flowing, always moving forward.

He keeps rolling along
The river's rolling symbolizes the continuation of life, and how it doesn't stop for anything or anyone.

Rollin' along
This is a reaffirmation of the river's rolling symbolizing life and its continuity.

He don't plant tators
The river doesn't contribute in the same way that people do towards farming and agriculture.

He don't plant cotton
The river, again, does not contribute towards farming and agriculture like farmers would.

Them that plants 'em is soon forgotten
Farmers and agriculturalists are often overlooked or forgotten, as their jobs are not as glamorous or prioritized as others.

But ol' man river
Despite everything we think we need to have for survival, the river plays an even more important role in providing for us.

He keeps rolling along
Reaffirming how the river's rolling symbolizes life's continuity and perpetuity.

You and me
The singer is addressing the audience and the singer as those who work hard to make their living.

We sweat and strain
The singer highlights how hard people work for their living, alluding to the physical labor and effort that's often required for various jobs.

Body all aching
The physical effects of hard work and effort often results in hurting muscles and body pains.

And wracked with pain
Further indication of how the stress of work wears on a person, by affecting their physical and mental wellbeing.

Tote that barge
The singer provides a direct instruction to carry the goods, symbolizing a hard labor job like that of dock workers or farmers.

Lift that bale
Another direct instruction to carry goods, adding emphasis to the previous line and symbolizing the same jobs as mentioned before.

Get a little drunk
An allusion to how people use various vices to deal with the stress and hardship of their lives.

And you land in jail
This line talks about how that self-destructive behavior can lead to even more trouble, such as imprisonment.

I gets weary
The artist here articulates their exhaustion, highlighting how hard work wears people down over time.

Sick of trying
Another direct reference to the frustration that comes with hard work, and how it feels like one is trying their best to get ahead, but still failing.

I'm tired of living
This is a laments towards how tough life can be, causing exhaustion and disillusionment where one feels like there's no escape from life's challenges.

Feared of dying
Inevitably, as such challenges persist, the thought of one's own mortality arises, creating an even greater level of fear and exhaustion.

But ol' man river
Despite the tough challenge that life can become, the river continues to flow, reminding us that life continues forward.

He's rolling along
Reaffirming the symbolism of the river's rolling as representing life's continuity and perpetuity.