Carnival... Natalie Merchant

Spring 1996

I've walked these streets

a virtual stage

it seemed to me

actors took their

places next to me

I've walked these streets

in a carnival

of sights to see

all the cheap thrill seekers

the vendors and the dealers

they crowded around me

have I been blind

have I been lost

inside myself and

my own mind

hypnotized

mesmerized

by what my eyes have seen?

I've walked these streets

in a spectacle of wealth and poverty

in the diamond markets

the scarlet welcome carpets

that they just rolled out for me

i've walked these streets

in the made house asylum

they can be

where a wild eyed misfit prophet

on a traffic island stopped

and he raved of saving me

have I been blind

have I been lost

inside myself and

my own mind

hypnotized

mesmerized

by what my eyes have seen?

have I been wrong

have I been wise

to shut my eyes

and play along

hypnotized

paralyzed

by what my eyes have found

by what my eyes have seen

what they have seen?

have I been blind

have I been lost

have I been wrong

have I been wise

have I been strong

have I been

hypnotized

mesmerized

by what my eyes have found

in that great street carnival

in that carnival?

Words and Music by Natalie Merchant

© 1995 Indian Love Bride