“Song of the Roustabouts” is a song from the 1941 Disney animated film “Dumbo“. The song is sung by a chorus of male voices and features lyrics that are now considered to be racially insensitive.
In the song, the roustabouts (the laborers who set up and tear down the circus tents) sing about their grueling work and the harsh conditions they endure, including the sweltering heat and the physical toll of their labor. The lyrics use derogatory terms to refer to the roustabouts and contain racial stereotypes that are offensive and outdated.
While the song was a standard feature of the film when it was released, it has since been removed from many modern releases of “Dumbo” due to its offensive content. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to acknowledge and address problematic elements of classic films, and the decision to remove “Song of the Roustabouts” is part of this larger cultural shift.
Listen to Song of the Roustabouts (Song)
Additional Details
- Related Disney Character(s): Casey Junior (Dumbo)
- Song Written By: Frank Churchill and Ned Washington
- Song Performed By: The King's Men
- Year Released: 1941
