The Fairground Lyrics - Ralph Mctell

Standing alone in the fairground at night 

The world racing past on the streets 

Only the stars and the highlights of cars 

Light the fantasy world while it sleeps 

And I looked around but there wasn't a sound 

But the cinders under my feet 

Candy-floss sticks spelt words on the ground 

I tried to read them in vain. 

Before it was clear the wind blew my hair 

And re-phrased the sentence again. 

I stopped to light my last cigarette 

The fair was lit up in its glow 

I threw it away but the light seemed to stay 

Like 'twere moonlight shining on snow. 

And I hardly dare breathe 

I just couldn't believe 

Then the music started to flow. 

Slowly everything started to move 

'Cept me and I stood quite still. 

Then came a soft cry near the coconut shy 

Will you take to ride on the wind. 

And around and around the big wheel when spinning 

Round and around until 

I noticed although the fairground was moving 

The rest of the world stopped still. 

It was then that I realised that I'd have to get off 

Although I would've much rather stayed. 

Then with a jolt the wheel came to a halt 

And the music started to fade. 

As the lights went dim my head started to spin 

Told myself that I wasn't to blame. 

Looked at the ground at the candy-floss sticks 

Now the message was plain 

Behind me the wheel and the fairground were still 

And outside it was moving again.