Lift that bale, tote that barge

Posted by Bruce Kahl December 12, 2001In reply to Lift that bale, tote that barge posted by R. Berg on December 12, 2001 at

I heard this as a child. The speaker was usually gently admonishing someone else to work harder at some physical task. It makes me think of people loading canal-based barges and then hauling the barges along the canals. Perhaps the words come from a song. Any insights?

".....But ol' man river
He keeps rollin' along.
You and me
We sweat and strain.
Body all achin'
And wracked with pain.
Tote that barge.
Lift that bale.
Get a little drunk
And you land in jail..."

The song is "Old Man River," from the musical "Showboat."

Oopsy Daisy!
----

Caesar si viveret, ad remum darero.
If Caesar were alive, I'd be chained to an oar.