For the benefit of Mr. Kite
There will be a show tonight on trampoline
The Hendersons will all be there
Late of Pablo Fanques Fair, what a scene
Over men and horses, hoops and garters
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire
In this way Mr. K. will challenge the world

The celebrated Mr. K.
Performs his feat on Saturday at Bishops Gate
The Hendersons will dance and sing
As Mr. Kite flies through the ring, don't be late
Messrs. K and H. assure the public
Their production will be second to none
And of course Henry The Horse dances the waltz

The band begins at ten to six
When Mr. K. performs his tricks without a sound
And Mr. H. will demonstrate
Ten somersets he'll undertake on solid ground
Having been some days in preparation
A splendid time is guaranteed for all
And tonight Mr. Kite is topping the bill


Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by tim_hutton

Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! [Album Version] Lyrics as written by Paul Mccartney John Lennon

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! song meanings
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56 Comments

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  • +5
    General Comment

    An awesome song. The events in this song were taken word for word from an antique poster John came across. I love this song.

    song4juliaon January 21, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song was written by John after he bought a victorian circus poster while recording Strawberry Fields. Inspired by the victorian wording and the was the names were posted i.e Messrs Kite and henderson, he decided to write the song. Almost all of the details on the poster are included in the song at some point.Some of the billed events have been changed for the song, e.g the horse was not named Henry and Mr. H actually was supposed to do 21 somersaults on solid ground! Gr8 song!

    Romeo_Scotlandon May 13, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song always seems to put me in a good mood.

    XoxoLauren87on May 18, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Found the poster...'tis at beatlesagain.com/bkite.html

    pkjunon May 30, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's mocking the elite class who try to out do each other in splendour - 'keeping up with the Jones''.

    IanoDublinon June 09, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    great song one of my favorites

    kaijaon August 04, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The poster was a victorian circus poster

    DryYourTearson August 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Iano:

    Care to explain?

    pkjunon April 03, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This one of the greatest beatles song myt first time hearing it i tripped out an dthought i was mr. kite it was the greatest feeling ever

    gsession1on April 22, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is the only Beatles song in which I have the lyrics memorized

    Philadelphia Eagleson June 13, 2004   Link

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