The books all fall to the floor
Brother, I wonder if it’s you
The gypsy heads out the door
Lookin’ for livin’ proof

Bailey, Barnum, and the dancing bear
The bearded lady in her underwear
The fuzz are shutting down the summer fair

I said, Hey, sha na na, farewell
One last canter on the carousel
The city has limits on the freaks and the legends, alright
Now it’s back to the sideshow, and brother, you’re out of sight

I heard it happened here
Boardwalk at wintertime
The empty fishing pier
Waves all frozen and fine

Haunted house and the teen arcade
Where the lovers once had it made
Shuttered up since the autumn rain

I said, Hey, sha na na, so long
One last swing on the Siren Song
I’ll see ya, Jolly Roger, the end of our pirate days
After summer, my brother, you can bet that somebody gotta pay

The Teacups crash into the Tilt-a-Whirl
The Tunnel of Love is at the end of the world
Fun and games are wasted on boys and girls

Hey, sha na na, goodbye
One last lookout from the Eagle Eye

Hey, sha na na, so long
One last swing on the Siren Song

Hey, sha na na, farewell
One last canter on the carousel
The city has limits on the freaks and the legends, alright
Now it’s back to the sideshow, and brother, you’re out of sight

(June 2017. In memory of Nelson Reiten.)