They came rolling into Top Springs for a night of beer and song Out for fun or trouble on the run whichever came along They came in from the stations and from camps on the new beef road Yeah, trouble rolled into Top Springs by the ute and lorry load There were ringers from the V.R.D., road workers from the camp The shanty bar was ready to burst before they lit the lamps For a travellin' show was settin' up, out there 'twas a big event So they dropped their grudges for a while, and headed for the Showman's tent And they still talk about the night the travellin' show came to Top Springs For they never saw a blue like the one the boys turned on And the Showman swears he's never goin' back to Top Springs Rather play safe and go home the long way round Now the roadmen and the ringers were just itchin' for a fight And when someone threw a can or two, they had their excuse all right Oh, they fought all around the sidewalls and they fought all around the stage While the showman tried to pack his gear and get it out of the way As one went down, another jumped up, you never know who might win They threw the fallen into the utes like stubbies into a pit When none could stand they all went home, 'twas a sick and a sorry ride Yeah, trouble rolled out of Top Springs, but honour satisfied And they still talk about the night the travellin' show came to Top Springs They say those tickets were the best money ever spent But the Showman swears he's never goin' back to Top Springs And the travellin' shows go the long way round since then Yeah, the Showman swear he's never goin' back to Top Springs They'd rather play safe and go the long way round