Top Springs

(album: Country Way Of Life - 1995)

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 travelling show was setting 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 travelling 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 going back to Top Springs
Rather play safe and go home the long way round

Now the roadmen and the ringers were just itching 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 travelling show came to Top Springs
They say those tickets were the best money ever spent
But the Showman swears he's never going back to Top Springs
And the travelling shows go the long way round since then

Yeah, the Showman swear he's never going back to Top Springs
They'd rather play safe and go the long way round