Story Behind The Song

I was just dropped by a record label when I found myself sitting in a waiting room waiting to see the doctor for my yearly appointment when I came accross a children's book that I read as a kid. The story was about a spooted bear who wanted to be put in the zoo and was kicked out. Outside the zoo gates, he shows two children all the cool stuff he can do and they told him he didn't belong in the zoo, but the circus. A bit of a defining moment for me--so I wrote the song and got my good friend Bob Halligan for Ceili Rain to sing with me.

Song Description

A cheerful contemplative message purpose and belonging.

Lyrics

Show Me the Circus
By Elnora Pittman

I found a zoo where I thought I?d fit in
Safe and secure as can be
Inside my cage where no one could get in
They?d stand back and look at me
But the zookeeper glanced at my resume
Putting it down carelessly
He said, ?I tried to find a place, but there?s just no way
The circus is where you ought to be

There must be a circus where you can be free
To walk on a tight rope, swing on a trapeze
There must be a circus, a place you can go
Where it don?t seem like work, when you put on a show?

I argued my point with persistence
"I don't like being ignored!"
I said, ?can?t you see all of my experience.?
But he escorted me out the door
And I walked out in silence, feeling berated
With an urge to go back and fight
Told my family and friends how I was frustrated
But they said, ?I think he was right!? And I said:

?Is there a circus where I can be free?
To walk on a tight rope swing on a trapeze
Is there a circus, a place I can go?
Where it don?t seem like work, when I put on a show?

I threw up my hands, how could I be so blind?
And said, ?Lord, what am I s?posed to do??
He said, ?I like to speak through my people sometimes
What the zookeeper said, well, it?s true.? And I said:

?Show me the circus where I can be free
To walk on a tight rope, swing on a trapeze
Show me the circus , a place I can go
Where it don?t seem like work, when I put on a show? And He said:

?Here is the circus, so feel free
To dance on the tight rope, fly on the trapeze
The circus is right where you are, don?t you know
So just be yourself, let?s get on with the show!?