The ring master grins, orange and way too bright
Teeth flashing, hair perfect under the lights
He tosses promises like cheap carnival balls
We reach, we grab… mostly nothing at all
Clowns stumble in red hats, laughing too loudly
Juggling whispers while we sweat in the crowd
Walls stretch high, cages too,
Some trapped inside, some shoved through
Tightropes sway, nets thin or gone
Some walk safely, most just hang on
Prices climb like glittered walls
Crumbs for the many, buffets for the small
The medicine wagon rocks, barely in view
Gold dust falls, but only for a few.
Popcorn rains, stale and cheap.
While clowns grin wide, their pockets deep
The fire-eater laughs, hiding flames in the smoke
The audience cheers, ignoring the choke
Even the loudest cries get lost in cheer
The circus thrives on worry and fear
No exit signs, no final service
We all go down with the American Circus
Teeth flashing, hair perfect under the lights
He tosses promises like cheap carnival balls
We reach, we grab… mostly nothing at all
Clowns stumble in red hats, laughing too loudly
Juggling whispers while we sweat in the crowd
Walls stretch high, cages too,
Some trapped inside, some shoved through
Tightropes sway, nets thin or gone
Some walk safely, most just hang on
Prices climb like glittered walls
Crumbs for the many, buffets for the small
The medicine wagon rocks, barely in view
Gold dust falls, but only for a few.
Popcorn rains, stale and cheap.
While clowns grin wide, their pockets deep
The fire-eater laughs, hiding flames in the smoke
The audience cheers, ignoring the choke
Even the loudest cries get lost in cheer
The circus thrives on worry and fear
No exit signs, no final service
We all go down with the American Circus
