PANIC PALACE
(E. Ridenour)

Big brother, are you coming
Don’t you want to go?
You’ve got to see this ride
With all the screaming
And the banging and the hollering
I’ve got to find out why

Fourth from the front, waiting in the line
Look out, here comes bad news
With my candy cigarettes
And my lick ‘em & stick ‘em tattoos
At the Panic Palace

See that bloodstain on the wall?
Some kid didn’t read the sign
Stuck his hands up over his head
And he left them both behind
Third from the front, waiting in the line
Big brother, don’t you want to go?
Better keep your arms in
Better keep your head down low
At the Panic Palace

Oh, Father I can see you now
Running wild through the happy crowd
Crying, "Where’s my poor young son?"
I can hear the sirens cry
Lights flashing in the Autumn sky
Good man, your boy is gone

See that plywood witch up there?
She’s staring with her light bulb eyes
Heartsick mothers going to lose their sons
And husbands lose their wives
Second from the front, waiting in the line
And the tape-loop moans & groans
Shaking in my head
And it’s rattling down my bones
At the Panic Palace

You there, Boy, well don’t you look so nice
Standing there all plump and juicy
Step right up here, son
My goodness, you’re a tender thing
Ladies & Gentlemen, we’ve found our victim
Come now, boy - you’re on

Carnival man with the fingerless hand
Wants the money and he wants it now
Those little ones scream and they wet on the seats
Those little ones cry so loud
Holding up the line at the Panic Palace
Big brother, I don’t want to go
I wanna ride on the Teacup Ride
Nothing wrong with the Teacup Ride
I want to ride on the Teacup Ride right now
And not the Panic Palace

John Gibson - Drums
Erin Johnson - Keyboard
Aubri McVey - Violin
Eric Ridenour - Guitar, Vocal
Sarah Spelbring - Bass