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'!