Carnival Lyrics

Natalie Merchant Carnival

I've walked these streets
a virtual stage
it seemed to me
make up on their faces
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 & 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 & poverty
in the diamond markets
the scarlet welcome carpet
that they just rolled out for me
I've walked these streets
in the mad 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?