life in the circus ain't easy

but the folks on the outside don't know

the tent goes up and the tent comes down

and all that they see is the show

and the ladies on the horses look so pretty

and the lions are lookin real mad

and some of the clowns are happy

and some of the clowns are sad



but underneath

there's another expression

that the makeup isn't making

life under the big top

it's about freedom

it's about faking

there's an art to the laughter

there's a science

and there's a lot of love

and compliance



welcoem to the freakshow

here we go...



we live to hear the slack-jawed gasping

we live under a halo of held breath

and when the children raise up a giant shield

of laughter, it's like they're fending off death

and we can make somethig bigger

then anyone of us alone

and then the clowns will take off their makeup

and the people will go home



but life on the outside ain't easy

no sequins, no elephants,

no parading around

yeah, the tent goes up

and the tent comes down

and they're stuck in this fucking town



you need a lot of love and compliance



welcome to the freakshow

here we go