Below are the words I wrote to one of Johnny’s amazing tunes. It’s called, ‘The Illusion’.
It made me think of the circus (which I hate). And politics. And we, the people. This world of ours.
I hope you enjoy the results of this particular collaboration.
Some people may be offended by some of the images. What can I say? I’m offended by them too.
Here is the circus, here is the street,
Ringmaster has found the beat,
Try to keep up with his song,
Try to march in time along.
This is the game we all play,
Carnival is now the way,
Jugglers, clowns perform, we pay,
Sideshow stalls have won the day.
See, look, the Big Top, there go the lions,
Whipped to submit, they stride in time,
Prancing ponies do their thing,
All well-trained for circus ring.
Fire-eaters and trapeze acts,
Contortionists, acrobats,
Bearded lady, strongman too,
A man who’ll throw sharp knives at you.
Elephants and dancing bears,
Chained and trained with treats and chairs,
Barking seals we’ll photograph,
Voyeuristic, look and laugh.
This is the game we all play,
Carnival is now the way,
Jugglers, clowns perform, we pay,
Sideshow stalls have won the day.
Freaks, a frenzy, humankind,
All been hired, so we don’t mind,
Reassured by loud applause,
Menagerie all minus claws.
Unicycle, wheel on fire,
No safety net below the wire,
Seats aplenty, catch the thrills,
Captive held, donated will.
This is the game we all play,
Carnival is now the way,
Jugglers, clowns perform, we pay,
Sideshow stalls have won the day.
Crocodiles that cry and smile,
Hoops and loops, a queued turnstile,
Welcome mat once bona fide
Shit and sawdust strewn inside
Red coattails and top hat guy,
Prices tickets, would he lie,
Roll on up for daring acts,
Roles by rote, learned down pat.
Calliope, glockenspiel,
Beating drums, can this be real,
Mesmerised by costumes grand,
Performances all out of hand.
Extravaganza, three-ring whip,
Drugged as mugs, all on this trip,
Flashing lights and strobes that blind,
Custard pies but we don’t mind.
This is the game we all play,
Carnival is now the way,
Jugglers, clowns perform, we pay,
Sideshow stalls have won the day.
Disassembled, faded grass,
Circus moved, out on our arse,
Try to keep up with his song,
Ringmaster can do no wrong.
This is the game we all play,
Carnival is now the way,
Jugglers, clowns perform, we pay,
Sideshow stalls have won the day.
scottishmomus 