Lyrics of 'Carnival' by Kevin Devine

I quit the carnival and moved next door
thought i'd had enough but i wanted more
so now i'm sneaking out at night
i clean my face and shine my shoes
and go where i'm not supposed to

see i tamed a lion once i stole his roar
stripped his pride away but he found more
so now he's out to take what's his and shove
my future in my face and scare me back in my place
so soon so soon you've got it beat 'til it eats you

see i left my flaming sword beside your bed
i woke to find it pressed against my neck
you wept suggestion never works
so now i'm trying something else
i shut my eyes hold on.. oh well
and i felt a feather fall a tree trunk split
inside my lying mouth played violin
he said you should give up your voice
before we both end up destroyed

i quit alrighthe purred good boy
you'll fall for anything when you're caught
you'll believe anyone and
i said that's not exactly true
only you, you do what you do

you awake in the hospital in a thrift store suit
you hear your lover's voice from the waiting room
you shut your eyes and pray for peace
think i'm not here this isn't me
this isn't something i would do
i know the complicated truth
a big top tent a firey sword
i make a mask of lions roar
but they're not real and never were
and soon she won't be real either
this is the life you went and earned
because you never fucking learn
you could use up all of your years
fixing the mess you make in here
so as her nervous dress draws closer
dress heels click off their approach
you clutch your chest and whisper
"oh no, what will i do? what will i do?
my love, my love, what will i do?"