[Intro – Music-hall piano, spoken] Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! The show begins when the lights go out! [Verse 1] There's a crooked little ticket booth, There's a clown without a face, There's a carousel that spins too fast Around an empty place. The ringmaster is grinning, Though his eyes have turned to stone, And the little painted horses Never let their riders go home. [Chorus – Lead and Group] Come to the carnival! (COME ON IN!) Where the nightmares all begin! Round and round the wheels will turn, Watch the pretty little lanterns burn! Laugh, little darling! (HA! HA! HA!) Tell us who you really are! Step right up and take your chance, At the carnival of the damned! [Verse 2] The bearded lady's crying, And the strongman shakes with fear, The fortune-teller whispers, "Your last day has arrived, my dear." The organ plays a waltz That nobody remembers learning, And the ticket in your pocket Has your name and date of burning. [Chorus] Come to the carnival! (COME ON IN!) Where the nightmares all begin! Round and round the wheels will turn, Watch the pretty little lanterns burn! Laugh, little darling! (HA! HA! HA!) Tell us who you really are! Step right up and take your chance, At the carnival of the damned! [Bridge – Waltz slows, piano detunes] One little step… Two little steps… Three little steps to the door. You came here laughing… You're not laughing anymore. [Final Chorus – Frantic] Come to the carnival! (NEVER LEAVE!) There are tricks you won't believe! Round and round and round you go, Faster than the blood can flow! Smile, little darling! (HA! HA! HA!) You're the newest shooting star! Take your bow, the show is grand, Welcome to the damned! [Outro – Whispered] The next performance… Is yours. [End – Broken music-box melody]
