Circus
Denver. John Lyrics
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If I am your sign
Don't try to understand it girl
When I draw the line
It hasn't come to this
That you can say I waste my time
Looking everywhere and going nowhere
For the skies they look so lazy now
Heavy are the clouds
There's nothing here that I could learn
Or what it's all about
You haven't said a thing to me
And you talk so very loud
Looking everywhere and going nowhere
Well I think I'll try the circus
Or go back to Mexico
It's time to make mistakes again
It's time to change the show
It's time and time and time again
To find another way
It's time to gather forces
And get out of yesterday
Because I lost what I was looking for
There's nothing left to share
I need to take myself away
To be some other where
A face, a life, a minute more
I don't think I can spare
Looking everywhere and going nowhere
'Cause I tell you when you hurt me
And you just don't seem to know
I inform you that I'm lonely
And you still don't think I'll go
So if I lie to you and smile a thought
It's only half way here
It's just the circus and I'm singing I'm never really near
If I look like home to you
If I am your sign
Don't try to understand it girl
When I draw the line
It hasn't come to this
That you can say I waste my time
Looking everywhere, looking everywhere
Looking anywhere and going nowhere
The lyrics in John Denver's song Circus speak to a feeling of restlessness and dissatisfaction with one's current situation. He describes searching for something meaningful and fulfilling, but feeling like he is going nowhere. The metaphor of the circus suggests that life itself can be a bit of a spectacle, and sometimes we need to take risks and make mistakes in order to find a new direction.
The repeated line "looking everywhere and going nowhere" emphasizes the frustration with feeling stagnant, and the need for change. The character in the song is expressing a desire to break free from routine and embrace the uncertainty of life. The chorus suggests that this can be scary and difficult, but ultimately necessary for growth and self-discovery.
The line "if I look like home to you, if I am your sign" suggests that the character is aware of how others may perceive him, and possibly feels pressure to live up to certain expectations. However, he emphasizes that he will draw the line when it comes to conforming to those expectations, and will follow his own path instead.
Line by Line Meaning
If I look like home to you
If I give you a sense of belonging
If I am your sign
If you see me as a guiding light
Don't try to understand it girl
Don't try to comprehend my intentions
When I draw the line
When I set my boundaries
It hasn't come to this
Things haven't reached a critical point yet
That you can say I waste my time
That you can accuse me of idleness
Looking everywhere and going nowhere
Attempting to find direction but failing to make progress
For the skies they look so lazy now
The clouds are motionless in the sky
Heavy are the clouds
The clouds appear ominous and oppressive
There's nothing here that I could learn
There's no knowledge or experience to be gained
Or what it's all about
Or the purpose of it all
You haven't said a thing to me
You haven't communicated with me
And you talk so very loud
Yet you speak emphatically
Well I think I'll try the circus
I might try a new form of entertainment
Or go back to Mexico
Or return to a familiar setting
It's time to make mistakes again
It's time to take risks once more
It's time to change the show
It's time to modify the performance
It's time and time and time again
It's a recurring issue
To find another way
To discover a different path
It's time to gather forces
It's time to pull together resources
And get out of yesterday
And move beyond the past
Because I lost what I was looking for
Because I failed to find what I desired
There's nothing left to share
There's no more to give
I need to take myself away
I need to go somewhere for introspection
To be some other where
To exist in a different location
A face, a life, a minute more
A new appearance, a new existence, and more time
I don't think I can spare
I don't believe I have the luxury of doing so
‘Cause I tell you when you hurt me
Because I inform you of my pain
And you just don't seem to know
And you remain unaware despite my efforts
I inform you that I'm lonely
I let you know that I feel isolated
And you still don't think I'll go
And you still don't believe I'll depart
So if I lie to you and smile a thought
So, if I am insincere and feign joy
It's only half way here
Then know that it's a partial emotion
It's just the circus and I'm singing I'm never really near
It's only a performance, and I am not fully present
Looking everywhere, looking everywhere
Searching far and wide
Looking anywhere and going nowhere
Looking aimlessly and making no progress
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: MICHAEL JOHNSON, JOHN DENVER, LAURIE KUEHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind