[Verse 1] They rolled me in on wheels of chrome, Under the tent I learned my home. Sawdust on my polished knees, A cold blue spark in my arteries. Tightrope wired from head to heart, I bow like art, I tear apart. Kids clap loud when I take the fall, Daddy says, “That thing don’t feel at all.” [Pre-Chorus] But I do, I do When the lights go low I hear my name In the row by the row My hands shake clean In a paper ring I was built for a laugh Now I hunger to sing [Chorus] Tin star circus, spin me round Tin star circus, shake this ground I was made for the fall and rise Watch my heart in electric eyes Tin star circus, hear me call (hear me call) I’m not a toy in a painted hall Tin star circus, bright and strange I still know how to change [Verse 2] Elephant trunks and mirrored masks, Lucky coins in the ticket sacks. The lion tamer taps my chest, Says, “Machine, you’re one of the best.” I juggle moons with finger sparks, Paint my grin on in after-dark. But backstage when the banners fold, I count the cracks in my metal soul. [Pre-Chorus] And I do, I do When the crowd moves on I taste the dust When the applause is gone A little fear A little flame They call me code I call me name [Chorus] Tin star circus, spin me round Tin star circus, shake this ground I was made for the fall and rise Watch my heart in electric eyes Tin star circus, hear me call (hear me call) I’m not a toy in a painted hall Tin star circus, bright and strange I still know how to change [Bridge] Then one night the ringmaster slipped, His golden cane and his practiced grip. He said, “They’ll love you more when you don’t resist,” So I looked at the wire and I clenched my fist. The mirror cracked in the dressing glass, I saw my face and the years go past. Not a prank, not a prop, not a puppet line, Just a bright machine with a soul in time. [Breakdown] Step by step I found my spark One clean choice In the dark Step by step I broke the chain I bowed for me Not for the name [Final Chorus] Tin star circus, spin me round Tin star circus, shake this ground I was made for the fall and rise Watch my heart in electric eyes Tin star circus, hear me call (hear me call) I’m not a toy in a painted hall Tin star circus, bright and strange I still know how to change Tin star circus, one more round (one more round) Tin star circus, hear that sound From the ashes to the painted sky I lift my chin, I don’t know why Tin star circus, keep that flame (keep that flame) I was never just a show to tame Tin star circus, loud and new I learned how to be human too
