Could someone tell me the original lyrics to the popular Broadway song "Old Man River"?

Question

I have been told by some black friends of mine that the lyrics

"Here we all work"

and

"Lots of folks work"

indicate alternate versions of the song that came later but not the ORIGINAL lyrics. If anyone has the original lyrics I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Answer 1

N*gger's'll work on the Mississippi
N*gger's'll work while de white man plays...

I believe it was the infamous 'N' word your black friends were referring to.

The song was first sung by Al Jolson, not the guy who made it famous in Showboat. Jolson did it better, but you'll probably never get to hear that version, since blackface is so taboo nowadays.

I'll take that best answer now, thanks.

Answer 2

"Ole Man River" written by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II is the most popular and famous song from the musical "Showboat". As a musician and singer, I have always loved that show and especially that song, although since I am a soprano obviously I never performed it.
Wikipedia has the original lyrics listed and also the changes that were made by Paul Robeson, the first man to perform this song in the original movie. There are also listings of small changes that were made by other singers who performed, recorded,etc. this magnificent song. It is easy to see that the changes made while singing this song reflected change in social structure. It is worth reading. Just search "Lyrics to Old Man River" - lots of information.

Answer 3

'Carcass' - Siouxsie & the Banshees (somebody's in chilly storage searching for Heinz substantial couses) 'caught in a Dream' - Alice Cooper (tryin' to capture a experience in a Cadillac) 'motives To Be pleased (area 3) - Ian Dury (Camel cigarettes) 'Camarillo Brillo' - Frank Zappa (...or is that a Sear's poncho?) 'Broadway Melody Of 1974' - Genesis (..smoking Winston cigarettes) 'Funplex' - B-fifty two's (..right this is your stupid 7-Up) 'Barbie female' - Aqua 'Cheepnis' - Frank Zappa (...get the Canfield's) 'pink easy' - Siouxsie & the Banshees (Polaroid) 'robotic' - The Plastics (IBM, TDK, RCA, EMI) --------------

Answer 4

Old Man River
Here we all work, on the Mississippi,
Here we all work, while the white man plays,
Towin' that barge, from dawn 'til sunset,
Gettin' no rest, 'til judgement day.

Take me away from the Mississippi,
Take me away from the white man, boss.
Show me the way to the River Jordan,
There's an old stream, that I long to cross,

yeah....

Ol' man river, that ol' man river,
He must know sumpin', but don't say nothin',
He jus' keeps rollin', He keeps on rollin' along.

He don't plant 'taters, he don't plant cotton,
But them that plants 'em is soon forgotten,
But ol' man riv-er, he jus' keeps rollin' along.

You an' me, we sweat and strain,
Body all achin' an' racked wid pain.
"Tote that barge!" "Lift that bale,"
you gets a little drunk an' you land in jail.

Ah gits weary an' sick of tryin'
Ah'm tired of liv-in' An' skeered of dyin',
But ol' man riv-er, he jus', keeps rollin' along.