The Circus I Built

Underneath the painted sky,

I learned to laugh,

I learned to lie.

Every scar became a grin,

Every loss a ticket in.

The drums are pounding in my head,

Ghosts are dancing with the dead.

I built these walls,

I chose this cage,

Now every clown is on the stage.

Raise the lights, let the madness reign,

I wear my freedom like a chain!

I'm alright, I'm okay,

In this circus I have made; You are the outcast,

the unforgiven.

I'm alright, I'm okay,

Let the ashes light the way; You are the outcast,

the unforgiven!

You came knocking at my door,

But I don't recognize you anymore.

Your shadow crawls across the floor,

Like every promise made before.

The ringmaster calls, the crowd goes wild,

Somewhere underneath, I’m still that child.

But the mirror cracks,

the truth breaks through— I built this hell,

and I built it for you.

Hear the roar, feel the iron rain,

We turn our sorrow into flames!

I'm alright, I'm okay,

In this circus I have made; You are the outcast,

the unforgiven. I'm alright,

I'm okay,

Let the ashes light the way; You are the outcast,

the unforgiven!

No crown!

No throne!

No mercy for the ones who've known!

Break the mirrors! Burn the lies!

Watch the final curtain rise!

Step inside! Step inside!

This is where the lost collide!

Take your bow! Hear them scream!

Nothing's ever what it seems!

I'm alright, I'm okay,

In this circus I have made; You are the outcast,

the unforgiven. I'm alright,

I'm okay, Let the whole damn kingdom shake; You are the outcast,

the unforgiven!

The lights go down.

The crowd is gone.

The circus burns. But I carry on.