Lyrics Rally Round the Drum - Paul Kelly, The Messengers

Rally Round the Drum

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