[Intro] (mechanical pulse, distant bells, metal scraping) Welcome... Welcome... To the Circus... (hit, silence) [Verse 1 — spoken, low, almost whisper] I walk into the iron tent, Where music's just the sound of rust. It smells of oil, and blood, and dust, People come here to become dust. I'm not an artist — I'm a machine, I'm part of the system, part of the scene. They gave me paint, they gave me a number, They gave me a cage and said: "Remember." [Pre-Chorus — building, voice harder] Remember who you are. Remember why. Remember what happens If you break inside. (pause) ...I won't break. [Chorus — shouted, aggressive, gang vocals] CIRCUS! Meat and light! CIRCUS! Blood and applause! CIRCUS! I'm your beast, I'm your slave, I'm your final number! CIRCUS! Tear me apart, crowd! CIRCUS! I won't die — I'll rise! CIRCUS! This ain't life — it's hell, But I'm here by contract! [Verse 2 — gritted, angry, rhythmic] Every night — the same old trick, Every night — a new bruise, new kick. Tigers sleep, but the tamer don't, He knows one of us will burn tonight. I swallow fire, I walk on glass, I smile when I wanna go to the dark. They tell me: "You must, you have to," And I scream inside, but my voice is chained. [Pre-Chorus — harder] Remember who you are. Remember why. Remember what happens If you break inside. (pause, whisper) ...I'm already broken. [Chorus — shouted, aggressive, gang vocals] CIRCUS! Meat and light! CIRCUS! Blood and applause! CIRCUS! I'm your beast, I'm your slave, I'm your final number! CIRCUS! Tear me apart, crowd! CIRCUS! I won't die — I'll rise! CIRCUS! This ain't life — it's hell, But I'm here by contract! [Breakdown — instrumental, explosion, then sudden silence] (heavy guitar riff, sub-bass drop, metallic hits) (pause — only noise and breathing) [Bridge — spoken, quiet, sinister] You think this is a show? You think this is a game? You think I'm smiling? (scream) I HATE YOU, CROWD! (whisper) ...but I'll walk out again. [Chorus — final, slower, but heavier] CIRCUS! Meat and light! CIRCUS! Blood and applause! CIRCUS! I'm your beast, I'm your slave, I'm your final number! CIRCUS! Tear me apart, crowd! CIRCUS! I won't die — I'll rise! CIRCUS! This ain't life — it's hell, But I'm here by contract! [Outro — mechanical pulse fading, whisper] Circus... Circus... (pause) ...I am free. (one hit, silence)
