Song of the Roustabouts

Hike! Ugh! Hike! Ugh! Hike! Ugh! Hike!

We work all day, we work all night

We never learned to read or write

We're happy-hearted roustabouts

Hike! Ugh! Hike! Ugh! Hike! Ugh! Hike!

When other folks have gone to bed

We slave until we're almost dead

We're happy-hearted roustabouts

Hike! Ugh! Hike! Ugh! Hike! Ugh! Hike!

We don't know when we get our pay

And when we do, we throw our pay away

We get our pay when children say

With happy hearts, \"It's circus day today\"

Muscles achin'

Back near breaking

Eggs and bacon what we need (Yes, sir!)

Boss man houndin'

Keep on poundin'

For your bed and feed

There ain't no let up

Must get set up

Pull that canvas! Drive that stake!

Want to doze off

Get them clothes off

But must keep awake

Hep! Heave! Hep! Heave! Hep! Heave!

Hep! Heave! Hep! Heave! Hep! Heave!

Hep! Heave! Hep!

Swing that sledge! Sing that song!

Work and laugh the whole night long

You happy-hearted roustabouts!

Pullin', poundin', tryin', groundin'

Big top roundin' into shape

Keep on working!

Stop that shirking!

Grab that rope, you hairy ape!

Poundin'! poundin'! poundin'! poundin'!

Oh...