[Verse 1] Step right up, come see The painted grin on me Tin ribs under greasepaint Velvet suit, blood-red stain Big top sways all night I bow to the gasping light My shoes make a hollow sound When I roll across the ground [Pre-Chorus] Hear the children cheer Hear the silver gears When my jaw goes wide Something wakes inside [Chorus] Rusty red nose, run Rusty red nose, run He laughs, then the ring goes numb Rusty red nose, run Rusty red nose, run Too late when the show gets done [Verse 2] I juggle knives for love Smile with my steel glove Apples on a spinning plate Every clap seals your fate I fix my face in a mirror crack One eye on the acrobat track One hand hides behind the cane Counting down the screams like rain [Pre-Chorus] Hear the bass drum pound Hear the trapdoor sound When the brass gets bright I come alive tonight [Chorus] Rusty red nose, run Rusty red nose, run He laughs, then the ring goes numb Rusty red nose, run Rusty red nose, run Too late when the show gets done [Bridge] I was built in a basement fair To make them stare, to make them fear A cracked up king in a circus cage Clapping crowds, electric rage Now the ringmaster’s gone away But I still keep the price you pay When I blink, the tent turns cold When I grin, the night takes hold [Breakdown] Step in line Hold your breath Count to ten Dance with death Step in line Hold your breath Painted smile Metal chest [Final Chorus] Rusty red nose, run Rusty red nose, run He laughs, then the ring goes numb Rusty red nose, run Rusty red nose, run Too late when the show gets done Rusty red nose, run Rusty red nose, run When the curtain drops, you’re done
