The Man On The Flying Trapeze
Composer(s): George Leybourne
Performer(s): Walter O'Keefe
and multiple other artists



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

The girl that I loved she was handsome
I tried all I knew her to please
But I could not please her one quarter so well
As the man upon the trapeze

He'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease
That daring young man on the flying trapeze
His movements were graceful, all girls he could please
And my love he purloined away

This young man by name was Signor Bona Slang
Tall, big and handsome, as well made as Chang
Where'er 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 smiled on my love
She wink'd back at him and she shouted "Bravo"
As he hung by his nose up above

Her father and mother were both on my side
And very hard tried to make her my bride
Her father he sighed, and her mother she cried
To see her throw herself away

'Twas all no avail, she went there every night
And would throw him bouquets on the stage
Which caused him to meet her; how he ran me down
To tell you would take a whole page

One night I as usual went to her dear home
Found there her father and mother alone
I asked for my love, and soon they made known
To my horror that she'd run away

She'd packed up her box and eloped in the night
With him, with the greatest of ease
From two stories high he had lowered her down
To the ground on his flying trapeze

Some months after this I went to the 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'd taught her gymnastics and dressed her in tights
To help him live at his ease
And made her assume a masculine name
And now she goes on the trapeze

She'd fly through the air with the greatest of ease
You'd think her the man young man on the flying trapeze
Her movements were graceful, all girls she could please
And that was the end of my love