Dusty Old Fairgrounds

Well, it’s all up from Florida at the start of the spring

The trucks and the trailers will be winding

Like a bullet we’ll shoot for the carnival route

We’re following them dusty old fairgrounds a-calling

From the Michigan mud past the Wisconsin sun

’Cross that Minnesota border, keep ’em scrambling

Through the clear county lakes and the lumberjack lands

We’re following them dusty old fairgrounds a-calling

Hit Fargo on the jump and down to Aberdeen

’Cross them old Black Hills, keep ’em rolling

Through the cow country towns and the sands of old Montana

We’re following them fairgrounds a-calling

As the white line on the highway sails under your wheels

I’ve gazed from the trailer window laughing

Oh, our clothes they was torn but the colors they was bright

Following them dusty old fairgrounds a-calling

It’s a-many a friend that follows the bend

The jugglers, the hustlers, the gamblers

Well, I’ve spent my time with the fortune-telling kind

Following them fairgrounds a-calling

Oh, it’s pound down the rails and it’s tie down the tents

Get that canvas flag a-flying

Well, let the caterpillars spin, let the Ferris wheel wind

Following them fairgrounds a-calling

Well, it’s roll into town straight to the fairgrounds

Just behind the posters that are hanging

And it’s fill up every space with a different kind of face

Following them fairgrounds a-calling

Get the dancing girls in front, get the gambling show behind

Hear that old music box a-banging

Hear them kids, faces, smiles, up and down the midway aisles

We’re following them fairgrounds a-calling

It’s a-drag it on down by the deadline in the town

Hit the old highway by the morning

And it’s ride yourself blind for the next town on time

Following them fairgrounds a-calling

As the harmonicas whined in the lonesome nighttime

Drinking red wine as we’re rolling

Many a turnin’ I turn, many a lesson I learn

From following them fairgrounds a-calling

And it’s roll back down to St. Petersburg

Tie down the trailers and camp ’em

And the money that we made will pay for the space

From following them dusty old fairgrounds a-calling