Carousel
Flicker of neon on tarnished gold
A pole that spirals downwards
Hold out your hand for me
I’m coming, for real this time
Nothing will keep me away
I’ve been walking here for so long
Step after wistful step
In time with a tinny waltz
That melds always into itself again
And into the laughter of children
Rhythmic rise and tempered fall
Of voices and plastic horses
Painted with a false nobility
Turning slowly in a vicious circle
And yet all my cynicism dies
Under the spell of flashing mirrors
And the waltz holds me in thrall
Hold out your hand for me...
By rights there should be clouds
On a night like this, you know
Stars shouldn’t be shining
As bright as they are now
I try my hardest not to notice
Draw my eyes back to the lights
That twirl colourful in front of me
And I dream of riding free
I’d do it, if I had the courage
Take your hand firmly in mine
Lift my feet from the frozen ground
And onto a mercury of movement
Melt away the coldness inside
And live, finally, in the light
Catch a glimpse of movement
In the mirrors that dance gleefully
Shadows that move and whisper
That everything comes to an end
And even the music will die
I’d give anything to ride with you
To stay ignorant, young forever
But I think they’ve marked me now
There’s a price to pay for everything
And not just an eternal ride
Some of us were born without tickets
And that’s the way it is, I guess
I’ve been standing here too long
And your hand is starting to falter
Pocket-warmed fingers slip from mine
Take a step backwards from the music
And out of the circle of light
One last glance at the spinning horses
And walk away under stars
A pole that spirals downwards
Hold out your hand for me
I’m coming, for real this time
Nothing will keep me away
I’ve been walking here for so long
Step after wistful step
In time with a tinny waltz
That melds always into itself again
And into the laughter of children
Rhythmic rise and tempered fall
Of voices and plastic horses
Painted with a false nobility
Turning slowly in a vicious circle
And yet all my cynicism dies
Under the spell of flashing mirrors
And the waltz holds me in thrall
Hold out your hand for me...
By rights there should be clouds
On a night like this, you know
Stars shouldn’t be shining
As bright as they are now
I try my hardest not to notice
Draw my eyes back to the lights
That twirl colourful in front of me
And I dream of riding free
I’d do it, if I had the courage
Take your hand firmly in mine
Lift my feet from the frozen ground
And onto a mercury of movement
Melt away the coldness inside
And live, finally, in the light
Catch a glimpse of movement
In the mirrors that dance gleefully
Shadows that move and whisper
That everything comes to an end
And even the music will die
I’d give anything to ride with you
To stay ignorant, young forever
But I think they’ve marked me now
There’s a price to pay for everything
And not just an eternal ride
Some of us were born without tickets
And that’s the way it is, I guess
I’ve been standing here too long
And your hand is starting to falter
Pocket-warmed fingers slip from mine
Take a step backwards from the music
And out of the circle of light
One last glance at the spinning horses
And walk away under stars
