Welcome to the Show

<intro>
Step into the tent, feel the velvet glow,  
Bright lights, fake teeth, put on a show.  
Ha—ha—ha! *<laugh>*  
Bring your pennies, bring your fear,  
Giggles smiles — the end is near.

<verse 1> (rap)
I juggle light, I juggle lies, paint a grin to sell the night,  
Two-faced mirror, cheap confetti, neon teeth and broken light.  
They clap for tricks, they pay to stare, curtain call on my disguise,  
But under greasepaint, something’s waiting — a hollow in my eyes.  
Ha—ha! *<laugh>*  
Heartbeat racing with the drums, a metronome of panic ticks,  
My jokes land soft, then bite — my humor’s full of broken bits.

<pre-chorus> (melodic)
Smile for the camera, say the line, don’t let them see the seam,  
I laugh to keep the shadows back, but shadows live inside the dream.  
Hee—hee—hee. *<laugh>*

<chorus> (anthemic)
Welcome to the show — where the bright lights hide the blood,  
We laugh until it’s hollow, until the truth cuts through the mud.  
Ha—ha—ha! *<laugh>*  
Clap your hands, don’t fall behind, follow me into the glow,  
Tonight the circus calls your name — welcome to the show.

<verse 2> (rap)
Candy-coated threats, candy floss and crooked teeth,  
Puppets on a string, parents leave, the kids believe.  
I spit a rhyme about salvation, trade a truth for thirty bucks,  
But every grin I sell returns like thunder, tighter in my guts.  
Ha—ha—ha! *<laugh>*  
My laughter pops like static — a glitch inside the reel,  
I try to play the happy part but feel the coldness steal.

<bridge> (spoken/sung, eerie)
Listen — the organ moans, the horses have no names,  
The popcorn tastes like rust, and someone’s calling flames.  
Hee—hee… *<laugh>*  
Do you feel that tug? The tent is folding inward slow,  
Faces bend like wax; the mirror’s never been my friend.

<chorus> (louder, distorted)
Welcome to the show — where the bright lights hide the blood,  
We laugh until it’s hollow, until the truth cuts through the mud.  
Ha—ha—ha—ha! *<laugh>*  
Step closer if you dare, take my hand, let the curtains blow,  
I’ll sell you one last laugh — welcome to the show.

<outro> (quiet, menacing)
The crowd goes silent, pockets emptied, pockets hollow,  
I bow and bar the door — tonight I’ll borrow sorrow.  
A single laugh, then many — echo down the rows.  
Ha—ha—ha… *<laugh>*  
Goodnight, bright lights — the clown takes home your throes.

Giggles the clown evil and creepy  dark rap/rock