Lyrics to
Ol’ Man River

This version of Ol’ Man River was released by The Temptations in 1967.

Our About The Temptations page at Decade Lyrics includes the lyrics for Ol’ Man River from 1967 as well as all of the other lyrics from The Temptations that we have in our lyrics database.

Here's more interesting things in songs and lyrics tied to The Temptations or about the 1960s in general.

Here we all work ‘long the Mississippi
Here we all work while the white folk play
Pullin’ them boats from the dawn till sunset
Gettin’ no rest till the judgment day
Don’t look up and don’t look down
Ya don’t dast make the white boss frown
Bend your knees and bow your head
And pull that rope until you’re dead
Let me go ‘way from the Mississippi
Let me go ‘way from the white man boss
Show me that stream called the River Jordan
That’s the old stream that I long to cross

Ol’ Man River, that Ol’ Man River
He must know somepin’, but he don’t say nothin’
He just keeps rollin’, he keeps on rollin’ along
He don’t plant taters, and he don’t plant cotton
And them what plants ’em is soon forgotten
But Ol’ Man River, jest keeps rollin’ along
You and me, we sweat and strain
Bodies all achin’ and wracked with pain
Tote that barge and lift that bale
Ya get a little drunk and ya lands in ja-ail
I gets weary and so sick of tryin’
I’m tired of livin’, but I’m feared of dyin’
And Ol’ Man River, he just keeps rollin’ along

Want more lyrics and songs by The Temptations?

The Temptations has released many songs over the years besides Ol’ Man River. The Temptations released songs from 1964 to 1980 spanning across albums like Meet The Temptations, The Temptations Sing Smokey, The Temptin' Temptations, Gettin' Ready, The Temptations With A Lot O' Soul, The Temptations In A Mellow Mood, The Temptations Wish It Would Rain, Cloud Nine, Puzzle People, The Temptations Christmas Card, Psychedelic Shack, Sky's The Limit, All Directions, Solid Rock, Masterpiece, A Song For You, and Give Love At Christmas. Decade Lyrics has over lyrics & songs by The Temptations.

If you're a fan of popular 1960s songs looking for more songs from 1967 or the 1960s overall, you've come to the right place!

More Songs & Lyrics by The Temptations

Visit our The Temptations profile for more The Temptations songs, lyrics & info!