but the folks on the outside don't know
the tent goes up and the tent comes down
and all that they see is the show
and the laides on the horses look so pretty
and the lions are looking real mad
and some of the clowns are happy
and some of the clowns are sad

but underneath
there's another expression
that the makeup isn't making
life under the big top
it's about freedome
it's about faking
there's an art to the laughter
there's a science
and there's alot of love
and compliance

welcome to the freakshow
here we go...

we live to hear the slack-jawed gasping
we live under a halo of held breath
and when the children raise up a giant shield
of laughter, it's like they're fending of death
and we can make something bigger
than any of us alone
and then the clowns will take of their makeup
and the people will go home

but life on the outside ain't easy
no sequins, no elephants
no parading around
yeah, the tent goes up
and the ten comes down
and they're stuck in this fucking town

you need alot of love and compliance

welcome to the freakshow
here we go