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The Last Carnival Lyrics
Sundown, sundown
They're taking all the tents down
Where have you gaone my handsome Billy?
Sundown, sundown
The carnival train's leaving town
Where are you now, my darlin' Billy?
We won't be dancing together on the high wire
Facing the lions with you at my side anymore
We won't be breathing the smoke and the fire
On thte midway
Hangin' from the trapeze my wrists waitin' for your wrists
Two daredevils high up on the wall of death
You throwin' the knife that lands inches from my heart
Sundown
Moonrise, moonrise
The light that was in your eyes
Has gone away
Daybreak, daybreak
The thing in you that made me ache
Has gone to stay
We'll be riding the train without you tonight
The train that keeps on movin'
Its black smoke scorching the evening sky
A million stars shining above us like every soul livin' and dead
Has been gathered together by a God to sing a hymn over your bones
Sundown, sundown
Empty are the fairgrounds
Where are you now my handsome Billy?
They're taking all the tents down
Where have you gaone my handsome Billy?
The carnival train's leaving town
Where are you now, my darlin' Billy?
Facing the lions with you at my side anymore
We won't be breathing the smoke and the fire
On thte midway
Two daredevils high up on the wall of death
You throwin' the knife that lands inches from my heart
Sundown
The light that was in your eyes
Has gone away
The thing in you that made me ache
Has gone to stay
The train that keeps on movin'
Its black smoke scorching the evening sky
A million stars shining above us like every soul livin' and dead
Has been gathered together by a God to sing a hymn over your bones
Empty are the fairgrounds
Where are you now my handsome Billy?
Song Info
Submitted by
beastman34 On Jan 28, 2009
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It's also symbolic of Danny's role in the E-Street band coming full circle... on their first album, Wild Billy's Circus Story depicts a kid at the circus being amazed by it all and in the end joining them... now Billy's gone, and the circus has to keep moving on... an amazing reference really. A great tribute.
We'll be riding the train without you tonight The train that keeps on movin' - This song's about moving on without Danny... We all miss him
this song is one of the most emotional songs i've heard,although it's about danny RIP i think alot of people can relate to it with other people that's been in their lives too,what a song!makes me sad listening to it and admit i can shed a tear while doing so on my own but in a good way,after all these years Bruce's music can still play with my emotions,what a guy!
I agree%. It was 18 months before i could hear this song without a shedding a tear. But even now I still get that pang in the heart. An amazing song that does what it should and we miss Danny and now Clarencefrom the band.
I agree%. It was 18 months before i could hear this song without a shedding a tear. But even now I still get that pang in the heart. An amazing song that does what it should and we miss Danny and now Clarencefrom the band.
The line about "two daredevils" really resonates. Danny Federici was considered the wild one in the band and was always pulling ridiculous stunts and even sometimes running from the law.
A "dead friend" song, not as good as Terry's Song (bonus track off Magic). I think it's cool how it ties in with Wild Billy's Circus Story, like completing the end of an era. Kind of like My Hometown and Long Walk Home. I’m not really familiar with Wild Billy's Circus Story, but I’m guessing it must have been a Danny specialty, much like Sandy, except no one really cared about it. An odd touch to have the gospel choir-like ending...Danny's ascension into heaven? Eh why not?
How young I was for most of Bruce's career, and so I never really recognized the individuals and their contributions to the music. I remember going back and listening to so much of "Danny's songs" when he finally passed... and then I understood.
Danny, Clarence, we miss you brothers.
Very emotional song. You can even hear Bruce's voice cracking throughout the song. I am sure it was a tough performance for him.