The Flying Trapeze

by George Leybourne

Once I was happy but now I'm forlorn,
Like an old coat that is tattered and torn,
Left on this wide world to fret and to mourn,
Betray'd by a maid in her teens.

The girl that I lov'd she was handsome,
I tried all I knew her to please.
But I could not please her one quarter so well,
Like that man upon the Trapeze.

CHORUS.
He'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease,
A daring young man on the flying Trapeze,
His movements were graceful All girls he could please,
And my love he purloin'd away.

This young man by name was "Signor Bona Slang,"
Tall, big and handsome as well made as Chang,
Where're he appeared the Hall loudly rang
With ovation from all people there.
He'd smile from the bar on the people below
And one night he smil'd on my love.
She win'd back at him and she shouted "Bravo!"
As he hung by his nose up above!

CHORUS.
He'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease,
A daring young man on the flying Trapeze,
His movements were graceful All girls he could please,
And my love he purloin'd away.

One night I as usual went to her dear home,
Found there her father and mother alone,
I ask'd for my love and soon they made known,
To my horror, that she'd run away!
She'd pack'd up her box and elop'd in the night,
With him with the greatest of ease,
From two stories high, he had lower'd her down
To the ground on his flying Trapeze!

CHORUS.
He'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease,
A daring young man on the flying Trapeze,
His movements were graceful All girls he could please,
And my love he purloin'd away.

Some months after this I went to a Hall,
Was greatly surprised to see on the wall
A bill in red letters which did my heart gall,
That she was appearing with him.
He taught her gymnastics and dress'd her in tights
To help him to live at his ease,
And made her assume a masculine name
And now she goes on the Trapeze!

CHORUS.
She floats through the air with the greatest of ease,
You'd think her a man on the flying Trapeze,
She does all the work while he takes his ease,
And that's what's become of my love.