Story Behind The Song

I originally wrote the chorus about twenty years earlier than the the verses. I wrote the chorus after performing with Brazilian musicians - at a madi-gra type festival - this was how I got the unusual chorus with its south american influence. I originally had the verses sketched out as a list of historical characters, (Aristotle, Cleopatra, Hitler, etc: all dancingto the circus music. But, years later, I changed the verses to only circus characters.

Song Description

A celebratory, rocky, pop, musical, happy song about the freedom and the circus - of life. It lists all the the things in the circus - and, finally, relates them to life. Most of all - the song invites us all to express ourselves, throw our worries to the wind - sing and and be happy - the circus is in town. Full of rich, poetic images. Lots of circus musical instruments: pipes, trumpets, violins, etc, beautiful piano takes main part. harmonising female voices, crescendo - climax into unforgettable chorus.

Lyrics

Flood gates.
Words and Music by Tony Chapman. Copyrighted.
CHORUS:
D F E4 G D Am G
Open open open open up the floodgates
G2
Unlatch (push wide) the windows
Bbmj7 C D
let the barriers down
D F E4 G D Am G
Open, open open open up floodgates
Bb7 A7 D (G F D)
Put on your dancing shoes. The circus is in town.
__________________________
A Em
Eleplahants, acrobats, flame eater, strong man acts
A
Applause
A Em
Trapeze artist on air. So high up we all stare
A
Crowd roars
Bb Gm F
Lion tamer cracks his whip,
G# Fm C A
sad eyed clowns tumble and trip
CHORUS:

Drum and cymbol crashing,coloured lights are flashing,
Thunder
Double jointed girl twists, see the contortionists,
Wonder
Tumbler jumps through hoops of fire,
Tight rope walker balances on the wire
CHORUS:

C G
In every country, in every city, village and street
C G
In every mountain, in every forest, desert and sea
C#
Open your eyes, open your ears,
D#
open your heart to the laughter and tears
E A
Inside (and) outside you and me, the circus is life and its free...
Instrumental over: D, C2, G, Bb, (x3)A
Ballerina dances on a horse who prances
round the ring
Juggler juggles sharp knives, magic laughter dust lies
On everything
Human cannonball takes aim, lady who was cut in two takes a bow
She's in one piece again
CHORUS.