Life in the circus ain't easy
but the people 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 an expression
that the makeup is not 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
you need a lot 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 just 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 elephants, no sequins,
no parading around
yeah, the circus goes up
and the circus 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