Wednesday, November 21, 2012

BIG AL's JOVIAL JUKEBOX #8: "Circus Mystery" by SKID ROPER, 1989


Albie's note:  I have been long been a fan of the totally unique American musicain and song-writer Skid Roper, best remembered today as the '80s era sidekick of wild-man goof-a-billy Mojo Nixon.  I like Mojo, too, of course, but the strange poetry and spotty career of the laid-back Skid [born Richard Banke, 19 October 1954 in National City, California] fascinates me more.  After he and Mojo split, Skid would record at least 3 indescribable solo albums containing songs with titles like "The Return Of Rodan,"  "Teen-age Caveman," "Lincoln Logs" and "Shack Out On 101." 


This weird and funny song/poem comes from the classic 1989 Nixon/Roper effort ROOT HOG OR DIE, where Brother Skid was credited with "vocals, bongos, washboard, harmonica and guitar."  It was the only Roper solo song on that album, but young Albie always dug it.

I should warn ya, he's probably whatcha would call... "an acquired taste."  Anyway, here's the tune:

 
"CIRCUS MYSTERY"
Words and music by
SKID ROPER
 
The laughing clown sat down and cried
The wiry contortionist straightened out her act
The lion tamer put away his whip
"Save it for some other cat..."
And the dwarves cried giant tears...
Circus Mystery.
 
The strong man suddenly became weak
Nagging thoughts came from the horse's pen
The ventriloquist had to dummy up
Couldn't even say "when..."
And the dwarves cried giant tears...
Circus Mystery.
 
The puppet show was still and quiet
The fat lady's chances were slim
All the acro-bats looked for a new cave
Their wits had... dimmed...
And the dwarves cried giant tears...
Circus Mystery.
 
All those things in large jars were gone
Aligator man though it was all a "crock"
Dumb elephants can't tell their tales
Houdini Jr. just couldn't pick the lock...
And the dwarves cried giant tears...
Circus Mystery.
 
 
 
PEACE

3 comments:

Oscar Case said...

That one is a mystery to me.

Albie The Good said...

OSCAR: Yeah like I said... "an acquired taste."

Hey, at least you gave it a try, my friend... Thanks for stopping by!

dignature said...

One of my personal favorites, having been a carney myself. I had it on cassette, and always played it on the last day of the show while we were tearing down. Or "sloughing" as they called it, pronounced like "ouch". Not sure where that came from. Thanks. Peace on. Burn your money.