Tightrope

I was still a baby, barely knee high
when my pops packed his bags, and said no goodbye
my mama died of heartache, so I tried to go hide
but was kidnapped by carnies when, I accepted their ride
oh, you got me on a tightrope, stop the show, and leave me alone
oh, you got me as an acrobat, let me go, applause ain't a home
(now I said don't give me all your sympathy, save me from your charity)

I grew up on hunger and clowns, town after town
never escaped until, the state department came 'round
oh yeah they put me in a good school
gave me parents who smiled they said
now you can be a normal boy, well your normal don't fit, (all right!)
in fact it's quite goddamn crazy
oh, you got me on the fast track, of status quo, leave me alone
oh you got me on a picket fence, let me go, your dreams ain't my own

leave your good intentions there, there by the door
talk with me like my mom did, did once before
now I don't need all the things that seem to matter to you

all I want is an empty field, and a seed or two
oh, you got me on a tightrope, stop the show, and leave me alone
oh, you got me as an acrobat, let me go, applause ain't a home