[Verse 1] You kept my blue ribbon tied around your wrist Said you'd bring it back when the carousel quit Your laugh in the tent had a sugar-knife bite And I loved you most when you lied just right [Pre-Chorus] You said, “Darlin’, don’t you fret” While you fixed my crooked crown I believed the little promise Till the whole tent folded down [Chorus] Kiss me where the painted horses turn Hold me like a match you mean to burn If you leave, leave your hand inside of mine I’ll call it love until the last bell chimes [Drop] Round we go, sugar, round we go Don’t let go, don’t let go [Verse 2] Your coat smelled like rain and powdered sweets One red glove was hiding under my seat You bowed to the crowd, then you looked at me Like I was the only thing you came to see [Pre-Chorus] You said, “Darlin’, take my hand” As the midway lights went thin I mistook your painted smile For the place I could come in [Chorus] Kiss me where the painted horses turn Hold me like a match you mean to burn If you leave, leave your hand inside of mine I’ll call it love until the last bell chimes [Drop] Round we go, sugar, round we go Don’t let go, don’t let go [Bridge] I found my blue ribbon in the ticket booth Still warm from the fingers that swore they were true The barker said, “Sweetheart, the show’s been closed” Then your voice came soft from behind the red curtain [Final Chorus] Kiss me where the painted horses turn Hold me like a match you mean to burn If you leave, leave your hand inside of mine I’ll call it love until the last bell chimes [Twist] But that voice was mine, and the glove was too I wore your smile like you asked me to The ride stopped dead; the tent went black And something in the mirror smiled back [Outro] Round we go, sugar, round we go Now I know, now I know
