Hike ugh! Hike ugh! Hike!
We work all day
We work all night
We never learned to read or write
Were happy-hearted roustabouts!
Hike ugh! Hike ugh! Hike!
When other folks have gone to bed
We slave until we're almost dead
Were happy-hearted roustabouts!
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, we throw our money all away!)
we get our pay when children say
With happy hearts: It's circus day today
(We get our pay just watchin' 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 beed 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

Swing that sledge and sing that song
Work and laugh the whole night long
Happy-hearted roustabouts!
Pullin', poundin', tyin', groundin'
Big top roundin' into shape
Keep on workin'
Stop that shirkin'
Grab that rope, you hairy ape
Poundin', poundin'
Poundin', poundin'