The Carnival

all the people are dressed in velvet and silk
as the carnival lights replace the sun
they’re tossing pennies on the eyes
of the forgotten one
his body is cold and lifeless
he was once known for his fame
they’ll bury him two feet first
by the stone that bears his name
the ferris-wheel spins eternally over
not letting anybody ride
and the gates of the exit are closed
trapping all the players inside

Christina walks the big-top grounds
ignoring the gentlemen's glares
they stand behind the curtains
peeking out when they think she’s unawares
but she keeps them in check with one eye
and the other is placed firmly down
she doesn’t see the light inside her
she thinks they stare at her gown
there was a gentleman in her life
but now he’s become a memory
he broke her heart some year ago
her life is a tragic story

you can ride the spotted pony
feels like the only freedom you can get
as you face flies through the lights
on a back that’s warm at best
but the old man with the golden tooth grins at you
because in this game he’s the host
he’s tied the chain to the pony's neck
and the other end to a post
you may smile as you ride around
but the pony's eyes are locked down
he’s destined to just ride round
mastered by you and the gold toothed man

Mary Magdeline is in an alley way
on her knees for a businessman
he uses her for what she’s known for
then throws twenty crumpled dollars in her hand
the priest dressed in black
his eyes reflect how his mind is deranged
he’s on the corner of the street
yelling that she should be ashamed
but the businessmen keep coming
and the organ drowns out his accusations
Mary wants to say how she’s dying
but no-one wants her conversations












there’s a man dressed in a suit
and he follows people around
peering into their pocket
and looks on their heads for crowns
he’s the one the clowns call messiah
but the lion-tamer fears his face
here everyone’s controlled by strings
it’s he who manipulates your fate
everyone tells him to leave their shadow
and so he creeps away
he’ll wait for the next time that you’re here
we all come back to him one day

Madonna stands with a pink apron
handing out fairy-floss to kids
they all descend upon her
then fight and squeal like pigs
her only son stands next to her
jealous of the children with a home
His Father had flown by night
leaving Mary & He alone
They were collected by the show after He left
and lived a life of service and shame
He’s thinking always of his Father
and revenge is connected to His name

everyone here are the players
ignorant of who makes the moves
they’re happy just to be entertained
by puppets and shinny grooves
throwing stones at simple bottles
and then laugh when none fall
men and women are arm in arm
and their children play around the floor
the circus gates are locked in dark
till morning strangles the moon
all the people scatter into the light
and men come to clean the room

the only people left from the night
are counting their coins and tips
the black under their eyes is pooling
it’s time to pack up their ships
heading back to their caravans and tents
to sleep while the sun reigns
Madonna and her son curl up
and the men go home with cheap dames
but Christina shares her bed with none
her eyes are the last to close
morning fails as evening comes
and the carnival will open again its shows