There’s a festive theme to Jim’s Song Lyric Sunday this week. Well, we’ll see about that.

This is a song that certainly fits the brief in terms of title, although it is anything but festive. Bruce Springsteen wrote ‘The Last Carnival’ in memory of former E Street Band member Danny Federici. It features on the album ‘Working On A Dream’, released in 2009, a year after the former organist died.

Sundown, sundown
They’re taking all the tents down
Where have you gone my handsome Billy?

Sundown, sundown
The carnival train’s leaving town
Where are you now my darling Billy?

We won’t be dancing together on the high wire
Facing the lions with you at my side anymore
We won’t be breathing the smoke in the fire
On a midway

Hanging from the trapeze, my wrists waiting for your wrists
Two daredevils high upon the wall of death
You throwing the knife that lands inches from my heart
Sundown

Moon rise, moon rise, the light that was in your eyes is gone away
Daybreak, daybreak, the thing in you that made me ache has gone to stay
We’ll be riding the train without you tonight
The train that keeps on moving
Its black smoke scorching the evening sky
A million stars shining above us like every soul living and dead
Has been gathered together by God to sing a hymn
Over your bones

Sundown, sundown
They’re taking all the tents down
Where have you gone my handsome Billy?

Written by Bruce Springsteen

Song Lyric Sunday 5 September 2021