Well, once upon a time, there was a happy ending to this story
But you won't hear one today
The man is sweating bullets, and his heart beats old a cold tattoo
As the band begins to play

So everybody stand, everybody won't you give a big hand
To the man on the burning tightrope

He's always walked this tightrope
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
A monkey on a wire
But he's drunk his cup of sorrow
He's thrown his curses at the moon
Manifestos on the fire

So everybody stand, everybody won't you give a big hand
To the man on the burning tightrope

Come on people, let's hear it
Put your hands together for the one, the only
The dying man on the burning tightrope

Hello George, it only takes one plan(?) to blow the whole parade

He could've been somebody, he could've been somebody else
Yes, it could've been much worse
But now the show is over, people
There's really nothing more to see
Hope you got your money's worth

So everybody stand, everybody won't you give a big hand
To the man on the burning tightrope

Is it just me, or is it getting a little warm in here?
Inch by inch, mile by mile, by day by day, by year by year..
Come on, people! Put your hands together