Lyrics and translation Bert Jansch - When the Circus Comes to Town

When the Circus Comes to Town

The bear was dancing
Jumpin' up and down,
He clapped his hands,
Just like a clown,
Each time he pulled his chain so tight,
Everybody laughed with sheer delight.

Now when the circus comes to town,
I'll be around.

And the red-eyed tiger flicks his tail,
He circles 'round to no avail,
Each time the whip cracked so
The crowd gave out a mighty cheer.

Now when the circus comes to town.
I'll be around.

In baggy trousers
And a big red nose,
He brings a smile
Wherever he goes.
He sits his self up and then tumbles down,
We all laugh and cheer for the sad-faced clown.

Now when the circus comes to town,
I'll be around.
Yeah, when the circus comes to town,
I'll be around.
Yeah, when the circus comes to town,
I'll be around.

Quand le cirque arrive en ville

L'ours dansait
Sautant de haut en bas,
Il battait des mains,
Comme un clown,
Chaque fois qu'il tirait sa chaîne si fort,
Tout le monde riait de pur plaisir.

Maintenant, quand le cirque arrive en ville,
Je serai là.

Et le tigre aux yeux rouges agite sa queue,
Il tourne en rond sans rien faire,
Chaque fois que le fouet craquait si
La foule poussait un grand cri.

Maintenant, quand le cirque arrive en ville.
Je serai là.

En pantalon bouffant
Et un gros nez rouge,
Il apporte un sourire
Partout où il va.
Il s'assoit tout droit, puis il tombe,
Nous rions tous et applaudissons le clown triste.

Maintenant, quand le cirque arrive en ville,
Je serai là.
Oui, quand le cirque arrive en ville,
Je serai là.
Oui, quand le cirque arrive en ville,
Je serai là.