Lyrics:

1996
Skip Ewing, Hal Ketchum

Our circuses are similar. Our hearts are all breakable, ‘delicate, and fragile.’ Perhaps this record will transcend the proscenium, cross the imaginary line separating the juggler from the crowd, the recording artist from the listener, you from me. If it does, the show is never over. ~SE

THE JUGGLER

VERSE 1
Hello, I am the juggler in this circus
I’m here for your enjoyment at my own expense
My clothes are brightly colored
And there’s a smile upon my face
But it’s only an illusion for the stage

VERSE 2
In my act, I will be juggling little children
A woman, and my future, and my past
But the show it won’t end there
‘Cause while they’re all up in midair
You will see me reach into my chest
And throw my own up there with all the rest of those

CHORUS
Glass hearts, delicate and fragile
Glass hearts, and though I make mistakes
With glass hearts, the show is never over
Till the last heart breaks

VERSE 3
Now juggling’s a precarious profession
And you can see why every day I wish
That I was breathing fire or walking on a wire
You see, then I would be the only one at risk
Careful there I almost missed

VERSE 4
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this fine performance
I trust you were astounded and amazed
But my talent isn’t rare or far beyond compare
Some of us we juggle on the stage
But all of us we struggle just the same with

CHORUS
Glass hearts, delicate and fragile
Glass hearts, and though we make mistakes
With glass hearts, the show is never over
Till the last heart breaks.

TAG
Or till the last glass heart’s safe.
Hello, I am the juggler in this circus.