Old Man River

Written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein

Trivia

• a song in the 1927 musical Show Boat that tells the story of African American hardship and struggles of the time. The song was first performed live by Jules Bledsoe in December 1927, and the most famous version of this song, one that is still noted today, was sung by Paul Robeson in James Whale's 1936 film version of Show Boat. (From Wikipedia.org)
• There is an NPR show dedicated to the Paul Robeson version of the song here at NPR.org.
• He performed this song on tv.

Singles    

• Keen 2003 with Around the World, Summertime and Danny Boy

Albums    

• Sam Cooke (original album) / Around The World
• Gold (weird version with organ)
• The Legend
• Rarezas 
• Sam Cooke Song Book Vol. 3: 12 All Time Hits
• Right On 
• Sam Cooke (Springboard) 
• 20 Great Hits    /    Only Sixteen - 20 Greatest Hits
• Unforgettable Memories 
• Wonderful World  
• The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke - 40 Great Memories  
• You Send Me (ARC) 
• You Send Me (Charly)
• You Send Me - Starlite (with organ) 
• The Best Of Sam Cooke (PMC)
• You Send Me (Famous)
• You Send Me (Timeless Collection)
• The Keen Records Story
• Wonderful World, The Very Best of Sam Cooke 1957-1960

Lyrics

Rolling along, rolling along, rolling along
Hm, old man river, that old man river
He don't say nothing, but he must know something
For old man river, he just keeps rolling along
He don't plant taters, he don't pick cotton
And them that plants em they're soon forgotten
While old man river, he jest keeps rolling along

You and me, we sweat and strain
Body all aching and racked with pain
Towed that bargem lift the bail
Get a little drunk and you land in jail
In get weary and sick of trying
I'm tired of living and afraid of dying
While old man river he just keeps rolling along