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 the children say
With happy hearts, "It's a circus day today"
Muscles achin'
Back near breakin'
Eggs and bacon's what we need
Boss man boundin'
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
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 workin'
Stop that shirkin'
Grab that rope, you hairy ape
Poundin', poundin', poundin', poundin'
pound, pound, pound, pound, pound