Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Bossman bossman my hands're cold (shut up boy and make the waterwheel roll)
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Grind that corn and make that meal the bossman's belly just gotta be filled
Grind that corn and make that bread the bossman's young un's all gotta be fed
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Bossman bossman he sure is mean thinks of my body as a steam machine
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll

Ole Willie John don't work too hard cause he's got a woman in the rich man's yard
I wanna run away but I'd be found cause the bossman's got two big blood hounds
Make the waterwheel roll...

Feel that rhythm in my soul sing my song while the waterwheel rolls
Workin' all day in the cold cold rain I wish my Lord would call my name
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll