Something Wicked

A plague of rumor spreading on a freezing autumn night The carnival is coming into town The howl of wheels on rails like a banshee's cry But the dawn transforms it to a siren's song How long will it stay? Will we see everything? The train brings promises, pleasures of the past By the pricking of my thumbs The smell of cotton candy and the laughter of the crowd But sickly sweet with a hint of decay All the faces grin a little bit too wide And everybody seems to know my name Why are the shadows Darker than before If we're willing to compromise the principles we have We'll find our deepest desires It's clear the carnival has no plans to depart We're giving it everything it needs Once we bend a little, it will demand the rest Imprisoned by our avarice and greed It is up to us To break this curse One way or another if we're to get through this We'll leave our childhood behind