There's an old man called the Mississippi...

[Elidor]

That's the old man that I wants to be
What does he care if the world's got troubles?
What does he care if the land ain't free?



I can't decide which of these I like better:

Ol' Man River by Paul Robeson on Showboat 1936
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRiZiVvdX4g

Or Ol'Man River by William Warfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XlEzY4tMyg

Warfield's singing is better, and is my favorite version of the song, but I love the clip from the musical, too. As a young tuba player in band in junior high (I was 11), I finally got a lead part when we played this song. I've loved it dearly ever since.