CIRCUS SONG

a.k.a. CIRCUS TOWN

Version 2

The machinist climbs his ferris wheel like a brave
And the fire eater's lyin' in a pool of sweat victim of the heatwave
Behind the tent the leatherboy tightens his legs
On the sword swallower's blade
Circus town's on the shortwave

Well the runway lies ahead like a great false dawn
Oh fat lady, Big Mama, Missy Bimbo, sits in her chair and yawns
And the man-beast lies in his cage sniffin' popcorn
The midget licks his fingers and suffers Missy Bimbo's scorn
The circus town's been born

Oh and the press-roll drummer go, ballerina to-and-fro
Cart-wheelin' up on the tightrope
With a cannon blast, lightning flash, moving fast through
The tent Mars bent, he's gonna miss his fall
Oh God save the human cannonball

And the flying Zambini's watch Marguerita do her neck twist
The ringmaster gets the kids to count along
Ninety-five, ninety-six,....ninety-seven
And behind the tent half bent money spent
With his wet face drippin on the ground
With a half-smile half-frown goin' down
Oh Jesus sent some sweet women to save all the clowns

And circus boy dances like a monkey on barbed wire
And the barker romances with a junkie, she's got a flat tyre
And the elephants dance real funky, and the band plays like a jungle fire
Circus town's on the live wire

And strongman Samson lifts the midget, Little Tiny Tim, way up on his shoulders
Way up above the liars
Little Tiny goes "Where the liars?"
Samson goes "Outside parking the cars in the parking lot"
Little Tiny goes "Where the liars?"
Samson goes "Over there whispering, making deals with the barker"
Little Tiny goes " Sampson, Where's the liars?"
"There inside signing"
Little Tiny goes "Sampson where's the liars?"
"Oh outside crying"
Oh hear the liars, feel their fire
Oh hear the liars, feel their fire
Oh hear the liars, they're all scared of dying
Well anybody wants to try the big top
All aboard, Nebraska's our next stop

Early stage of WILD BILLY'S CIRCUS STORY, which is very similar to it. Played live in 1972 and 1973. This version refers to the one performed on 24 Apr 1973 at The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA. Check also version 1.

Was released once on a promo single in 1973 in a live version (27 Jul 1973) with SMOKEY FACTORY BLUES (by Albert Hammond).