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 laides on the horses look so pretty

and the lions are looking 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 freedome

it's about faking

there's an art to the laughter

there's a science

and there's alot of love

and compliance



welcome 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 of death

and we can make something bigger

than any of us alone

and then the clowns will take of 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 ten comes down

and they're stuck in this fucking town



you need alot of love and compliance



welcome to the freakshow

here we go