- published: 07 Jul 2008
- views: 1838207
In America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair or other such attraction.
There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions:
The "Ten-in-One" offers a program of ten sequential acts under one tent for a single admission price. The ten-in-one might be partly a freak show exhibiting "human oddities" (including "born freaks" such as midgets, giants or persons with other deformities, or "made freaks" like tattooed people, fat people or "human skeletons"- extremely thin men often "married" to the fat lady, like Isaac W. Sprague). However, for variety's sake, the acts in a ten-in-one would also include "working acts" who would perform magic tricks or daredevil stunts. In addition, the freak show performers might also perform acts or stunts, and would often sell souvenirs like "giant's rings" or "pitch cards" with their photos and life stories. The ten-in-one would often end in a "blowoff" or "ding," an extra act not advertised on the outside, which could be viewed for an additional fee. The blowoff act would be described provocatively, often as something deemed too strong for women and children, such as pickled punks.
Your brain's a fuckin' thimble with a slow leak
Your thoughts are so fucking shallow
That a mouse couldn't drown
It makes me sick to hear the words you speak
When we both know when you talk
There's nothing underneath
So you look into my face and say
"Why do you act this way?"
You want the truth
It's sad but true
Society screwed me and so did you
Shun me cuz I'm not part of your act
Well you'll never understand what you have done
Time will tell whether you are worthy
I've touched you all in one way or another
I could show you so much more
If you'd open your eyes and your faith
Sideshow in my mind
Twisting and smashing the thorn in my side
Your innocence was lost without a trace
Stolen by a foolish embrace
I'm very good at what I do
Deep inside you know it's true
I can show you so much