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 don’t know when we get our pay
we throw our money all away)
We get our pay when children say
With happy hearts, "It’s circus day today"
(Then we get our pay
just watching kids on circus day)

Muscles achin’
Back near breakin’
Eggs and bacon’s 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 workin’
Stop that shirkin’
Grab that rope, you hairy ape
Poundin’, poundin’, poundin’, poundin’, pound