off to join the world lyrics

Now, friends listen well, let me tell you a story
I remember just like yesterday
Of a footloose young lad who ran off with the circus
Much to his mama's dismay

He was cleaning up after the elephants when
This high-flying trapeze girl smiled down
In search of a handsome companion because
She had just broken up with a clown

Now the with one graceful aerial flip he was smitten
With her and her little tutu
Standing there love struck, why he almost stumbled
Into the elephants doing their tricks

And the ringmaster smiled tipped his top hat and said
"Son, bid adieu to your heart"
And his words rang true right there under the bleachers
Soon after that big top went dark

Now, the old bearded lady, she whispered, "Be careful"
On the train to the very next town
And the handful of midgets who ride unicycles
Peddled by with one smile and four frowns

So he had a vague sense of uneasiness when
His new sweetheart opened the door
And he knew when he saw the clown standing behind her
In front of her, there stood one more

Now, I can't say for sure if it was Barnum or Bailey
To whom I handed the note
But a tall skinny feller standing on stilts
First read these words that I wrote

It said, 'I promise to never again give my heart
To some high flying trapeze girl
Goodbye cruel circus
I'm off to join the world'