Rally Round the Drum - Paul Kelly, The Messengers

Like my brother before me

I’m a tent boxing man

Like our daddy before us

Travelling all around Gippsland

I woke up one cold morning

Many miles from Fitzroy

And slowly it came dawning

By Billy Leach I was employed

Rally ‘round the drum boys

Rally ‘round the drum

Every day, and every night boys

Rally ‘round the drum

Hoisting tent poles and tarpaulin

Billy says «now beat the drum»

Rings out across the show grounds

And all the people come

Then Billy starts a-calling

Step right up, step right up, step right up one and all

Is there anybody game here?

To take on Kid Snowball

Rally ‘round the drum boys

Rally ‘round the drum

Is there anybody game here?

Rally ‘round the drum

Sometimes I’d fight a gee-man

Yeah, we’d put on a show

Sometimes I’d fight a hard man

Who wants to lay me low

Sometimes I get tired

But I don’t ever grouse

I’ve got to keep on fighting

Five dollars every house

Rally ‘round the drum boys

Rally ‘round the drum

Every day, every night boys

Rally ‘round the drum

Like my daddy before me

I set 'em up and knock 'em down

Like my brother before me

I’m weaving in your town

Rally ‘round the drum boys

Rally ‘round the drum

Rally ‘round the drum boys

Rally ‘round the drum

Rally ‘round the drum boys

Rally ‘round the drum