Together, Campbell and Lanegan formed a unique combination of gruff vocals and dulcet voices. They released a series of albums: Ballad of the Broken Seas, which received a nomination in the 2006 Mercury Awards, Sunday at Devil Dirt, which was released in May 2008. The album received US release in Fall 2008. Their third album Hawk was released in August 2010. The same year the live album "Live At The Barbican London 2010 " was released.
12 The Circus Is Leaving Town
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So draw the curtains down
Your secret's safe to keep
Unzip your velvet gown
And let your hair hang loose
Kick off your satin shoes
Throw back the Ida down
Farewell to Friday's clown
The circus is leaving town
Oh ruby, roll your stockings down
Circus is leaving town
Oh Ruby, dry your eyes
Fix up something to heap
Still water still run deep
The dogs are barking now
Get back out on the street
The circus is leaving town
Oh ruby, roll your stockings down
Circus is leaving town
So ruby, dry your eyes
The party is over now
Stop howling at the moon
You need a different beat
You need a different tune
Remember that old song
We heard when we were young
Life was an empty page
The world would ride upon
Do you recall the meadow past
We sit and watch the hours pass
You were such a good girl then
Oh ruby, dry your eyes
Circus is leaving town
Oh ruby, roll your stockings down
Circus is leaving town
So ruby, dry your eyes
You're searching when you walk
You're searching when you talk
You could make me believe
That the sun sets in the east
The sun sets in the east
The sun sets in the east
" The Circus Is Leaving Town" is a melancholic and somber tune about the end of a party and the end of a relationship. The lyrics suggest that the party is over, and it is time to hang-up the mask and reveal the true self, no more pretense. The singer instructs Ruby to unzip her velvet gown, let her hair hang loose, and kick off her satin shoes. The mention of the "Ida down" suggests that she is a woman of status, who wears high fashion, but she is now of no value since the party is over. The song establishes that even though the party is over, one can move on since life always has something new to offer. The singer advises Ruby to dry her eyes and roll her stockings down, as the world continues to turn even though the circus is leaving town. The singer recognizes that a new life, a new page, and new opportunities are coming.
The second part of the song indicates that Ruby has the ability to search and find new things; she is creative and dynamic. The mention of the sun setting in the east signifies that anything is possible if one has the right perspective. The singer recalls the good times that he had with Ruby in the past when they were young and carefree, and how the world held so much promise for both of them. The singer reminds Ruby that she is searching when she is walking, talking, and that she also has the power to make anyone believe that the "sun sets in the east." This emphasizes that however the world changes or whatever happens, Ruby and her creativity will survive.
Line by Line Meaning
The party's over now
The celebration has ended and it's time to leave.
So draw the curtains down
Lower the curtains to signify the end of the event.
Your secret's safe to keep
You can trust me to keep your secrets.
Unzip your velvet gown
Take off your formal wear and be comfortable.
And let your hair hang loose
Relax and let your hair down.
Kick off your satin shoes
Remove your high heels and feel the relief.
Throw back the Ida down
Have one last drink before leaving the party.
Farewell to Friday's clown
Bye to the amusing person who entertained us on Friday.
The circus is leaving town
Metaphor for a significant change that is about to take place.
Oh ruby, roll your stockings down
Take your stockings off and relax because there's no need to try too hard.
Circus is leaving town
Acknowledgment of the significant change that is about to take place.
Oh Ruby, dry your eyes
There's no need to be sad because everything will be alright.
Fix up something to heap
Prepare a good meal to mark the occasion.
Still water still run deep
Appearances can be deceiving, and there can be hidden depth in something that appears calm.
The dogs are barking now
Noise to signal that things have changed.
Get back out on the street
Time to start moving forward again.
Stop howling at the moon
Symbolic of doing something that is futile or pointless.
You need a different beat
A change in direction is necessary.
You need a different tune
Need to change the approach to something.
Remember that old song
Recall important memories from the past.
We heard when we were young
Connecting over a shared past experience.
Life was an empty page
There was a time when opportunity was everywhere.
The world would ride upon
Lots of potential and possibility, but it did not come to fruition.
Do you recall the meadow past
Reflecting back to a time when things were simple and easy.
We sit and watch the hours pass
Relaxing and taking in the scenery.
You were such a good girl then
Something positive is being said, but it may not be entirely true or accurate.
Circus is leaving town
The significant change is happening now.
You're searching when you walk
Looking for something that is not found yet.
You're searching when you talk
Searching for a way to communicate something.
You could make me believe
You are very convincing.
That the sun sets in the east
Something so outlandish that is impossible to believe.
The sun sets in the east
Repetitive statement that reinforces the ridiculousness of the previously stated idea.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sean rees
Loved this for so long, never found a live version, beautiful voice