ROLL ON MISSISSIPPI, ROLL ON  (Boswell Sisters)
McCaffrey / Ringle / West

as rec by The Boswell Sisters w The Dorsey Bros Orch  
April 23rd 1931 New York

also rec by-
Noble Sissle & his Orch '31
Ben Selvin & his Orch '31
Bert Firman & his Rhythmic Eight '31
Snooks & his Memphis Stompers '31


(scat)

Hear that whistle, there goes that bell,
That means we're on our way.
All aboard boy, I'm feelin' swell,
This is my happy day.
Paddle wheel, you're mighty mighty slow,
That's why I keep on shoutin', "Let her go!".

Roll on you Mississippi, roll on, (scat)
Hang on you lazy steamer, quit your stallin' and move along!
Clear the river, here we come,
Watch her smoke boy!
Hear that engine hummin', lawdy!
Take a look at that shore
With the folks I adore.
There's a spot around that bend,
That's my home, my journey's end.

Come on you old man river, come on,
Roll on you Mississippi, roll!
New Orleans, hello!
Bye-bye New Orleans!
Get along,
Goin' strong,
Baton Rouge,
Hold on!
Say cap'n, tell me,
What's the next big town we'll see?
I'm so excited I'm as happy as can be!

Oh, roll on you Mississippi, roll on,
Come on, you lazy steamer, move on!
(scat)
See that river, here we come!
Watch that smoke boy, hear that hum!
(scat)

There's a spot around that bend,
That's my home, my journey's end.
Here we come,
Roll on, you old man river, come on!
Move on, you lazy steamer, move on!
Roll on, you Mississippi,
Roll on, you Mississippi, roll on!





(Contributed by Peter Akers - April 2010)