Testi Hugo (The Human Cannonball) - Ray Stevens

Hugo (The Human Cannonball)

Well, they came to town\nWith their elephants and clowns\nOn a hit sticky August day\nAnd every telephone pole\nHad a poster that told\nOf the thrills that were coming our way\nThere were trapeze fliers\nAnd men that ate fire\nAnd things we never dreamed existed\nAnd the radio and tv Told us we’d be Fools if we dared to miss it.\nNow all three rings\nHeld wondrous things\nMarvels of every invention\nBut the big long shrouded\nShape in the corner\nIncreasingly drew our attention\nThere were bareback riders\nLions and tigers\nAnd clowns in their itty bitty car\nBut every woman and man\nAnd child in the stand\nHad come to see the star\nThen a hush fell on the crowd\nAs the men pulled the shroud\nFrom the muzzle that was 30 feet long\nAnd to screams and cheers\nHe finally appeared\nAnd flamboyantly bowed to the throng\nHe wore red sequined tights\nThat sparkled in the lights\nAnd boots that came to his knees\nAnd a chromium\nFootball helmet\nAnd a cape that flapped in the breeze\nAnd the dazzled crowd\nShouted out loud\nYou could hear them one and all\nWe want Hugo!\nHugo! Hugo!\nThe Human Cannonball\nThe aim was carefully calculated\nThe trajectory was precise\nThe charge was carefully measured\nAnd poured into the loading device\nThe fuse was trimmed, the lights were dimmed\nHugo slid down the barrel and then\nAll was ready and Hugo’s daddy\nCounted down from\nTen!\nAnd the drums rolled\nNine\nAnd our blood ran cold\nEight!\nThe ambulance stood by Seven!\nSeveral woman cried\nSix!\nThe spotlight hit the net\nFive!\nNo one would ever forget\nFour!\nEternity passed\nThree!\nEvery heart beat fast\nTwo!\nAnd Hugo’s daddy said, «Are you ready Hugo?»\nOne!\nAnd from the bowels of the gun, «I'm a-ready, Papa!»\nBoom!\nWell, fire and smoke belched\nOut of the cannon\nAnd the earth trembled for a while\nAnd the big gun roared\nAnd Hugo soared\nThrough the air like a projectile.\nTwo hundred and fifty\nFeet he flew\nLike an Air Force fighter jet\nBut at the apex\nOf his trajectory\nHe knew he’s gonna miss the net\nOh! Arms flailing\nHe kept on sailing\nA terrified screaming creature\nAnd the crowd scattered\nAs Hugo splattered\nAll over the upper bleacher\nIn the aftermath\nOf this tragic event\nDisbelief filled every face\nThere was Hugo\nAnd there was Hugo\nThere was Hugo all over the place!\nWell, the dust has\nFinally settled and\nThe smoke has finally cleared\nHugo’s name\nAnd Hugo’s fame\nWill always be revered\nBut no one\nEver too his place\nNo matter who they were\nBecause they never found\nAnother man\nOf Hugo’s — caliber\nThe Circus' main attraction\nThe greatest star of all\nWas Hugo!\nHugo!\nThe Human Cannonball!