Wild Billy's Circus Story
Words and Music by Bruce Springsteen





The machinist climbs his ferris wheel like a brave.
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And the fire-eaters lying in a pool of sweat, victim of the heatwave.
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Behind the tent the hired hand tightens his legs on the sword swallower's blade.
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Circus town's on the shortwave.
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Well, the runway lies ahead like a great false dawn.
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Fat lady, big momma, Missy Bimbo sits in her chair and yawns.
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And the man-beast lies in his cage sniffin' popcorn.
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And the midget licks his fingers and suffers Missy Bimbo's scorn.
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Circus town's been born.
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And the best roll-drummer go ballerina to and fro,
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Cartwheelin' up on that tightrope.
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With a cannon blast, lightnin' flash, movin' fast through the tent, Mars bent.
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He's gonna miss his fall, oh God, save the human cannonball.
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Missy flies and beanies watch Margarita do her neck twist.
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And the ringmaster get the crowd to count along, ninety five, ninety six, ninety seven.
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A ragged suitcase in his hand, he stares silently away from the circus clowns.
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And the highway is haunted by the carnival sounds,
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They dance like a great beast and ghost on the wind.
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A man in baggy pants, a lonely face, a crazy grin.
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Runnin' home to some small, little Ohio town.
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Jesus, send some good women, to save all the clowns.
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And the circus boy dances like a monkey on barbed wire.
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And the barker romances with a junkie, she's got a flat tire.
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And the elephants dance real funky,
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And the band plays like a jungle fire.
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Circus towns on the live wire.
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And the strong man Samson lifts the little Tiny Tim up on his shoulders.
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Way up, and carries him off down the midway.
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Past the kids, past the sailors,
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To his dimly lit trailer.
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And the ferris wheel turns and turns, like it ain't ever gonna stop.
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And the circus boss leans over and whispers in the little boy's ear.
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"Hey son, you wanna try the big top?"
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"All aboard, Nebraska's our next stop!"
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