Carnival

(Album: Brother's Blood - 2009)

I quit the carnival
It moved next door
I thought I had enough
But I want more
So now I'm sneaking out at night
I paint my face and shine my shoes
Go where I'm not supposed to

'Cause I tamed a lion once
I stole his roar
I stripped his pride away
But he found more
So now he's back to take what's his
And shove my future in my face
Scare me back in my place
So soon, so soon
You've got it beat
'Til it beats you

I left my flaming sword beside your bed
I woke to find it pressed against my neck
You wept "suggestion never works
So now I'm trying something else"
I shut my eyes, ho hum, oh well...

I felt a feather fall, a tree trunk split
Inside my lion laughed, played violin
He said you should give up your voice
Before we both end up destroyed
I quit alright, he purred, "Good boy."

"'Cause you'll believe anything." And we went and copped
"You'll fall for anyone." I said, "That's not exactly true
Only you
I'll do what you do."

You wake in the hospital in a thrift store suit
Hear your lover's voice ("FUCK! ") from the waiting room
You shut your eyes and pray for peace
Think "I'm not here, this isn't me
This isn't something that I would do
I know the complicated truth
Was a make up mask and then a lion's roar
A big top tent, a firey sword
But they're not real, they never were
And soon she won't be real either
This is the life you went and earned
Because you never fucking learn
And you could waste all of your years
Fixing the mess you're making here
So as her nervous breath draws close
Her dress heels click off their approach
You clutch your chest and whisper
"Oh no, no what will I do?
My love, my love, you say what will I do?
You wake up, just wake... up!

Ooh-oh-uh-ohhh oh whoa oh oh oh ooh
Ooh-oh-uh-ohhh oh whoa oh oh oh ooh
No, no, no, no
No, no, no