The Circus Is In Town

I’ve been looking through a lens
as the circus plays pretend  
and I’m shown my reflection in a fairground mirror  
See the jugglers all throw knives  
tightrope walkers risk their lives  
the audience, they lean in a little nearer  
 
Come watch the lion jump through hoops  
dare devils loop the loop  
Come on down the Big Top, blow a fuse  
They fire midgets out of cannons  
There’s hotdogs, burgers, and for the posher folk  
they even serve smoked salmon  
So come on down the Big Top, spread the news  
 
The lion tamer’s spent  
the bearded lady pays his rent  
As acrobats delight the crowd  
gypsy ladies read your palm  
in the calm before the storm  
the lights transform  
and the music’s turned up loud  
 
Come see strong men lifting cars  
Want a drink? There’s a bar  
Come on down the Big Top, tell your friends  
There’s fire breathers and elephants  
albino tigers, all kinds of merriments  
So come on down the Big Top this weekend  
 
Now the circus master’s got his whip  
you see he’s on a power trip  
as every act lines up to bow  
Cartoon clowns fill in the blanks  
while the magician takes up flank  
and disappears the sacred golden cow  
 
Come see a wild man wrestle bears  
enjoy the rides in circus fair  
Come on down the Big Top it’s a blast  
Pat the sheep in circus farm  
or let a Shaolin monk twist your arm  
Yes come on down the Big Top, get your ticket  
they’re selling fast  
 
The animals are near starvation  
as a band of monkeys solute the nation  
the organ grinder, he’s gone on strike  
Trick shot Pete has lost his gun  
the Russian dancers are on the run  
and a Christmas turkey holds the mic  
 
Watch the show and have some fun  
a place to enjoy the setting sun  
Come on down the Big Top my good chap  
All children gone by eight  
but the festivities go on late  
So come on down the Big Top spring the trap  
 
The carnival left town  
in the night without a sound  
and took with it a lost and lonely few  
caught up in romantic dreams  
that are crushed to power this obscene machine  
where hopes are sold for food to chew  
 
Now in the field not a sound  
no acrobats nor dancing horses divert the eye on vacant ground  
Farewell the circus, adieu adieu adieu  
we care no more for what you do  
the morning sun frames this field anew  
farewell circus, adieu adieu adieu