When I was a young man   I ran away from home   I went to join the circus   Went to see the cotton candy whirl      And make me lots of money on my own   For Molly, oh, my pretty Molly   But she's waiting all alone   Someday, soon I will return to her      Then I made the big time   Bright lights show biz   I'm really in the circus   There's only one thing wrong      I haven't saved a penny on my own   For Molly, oh, my pretty Molly   But she's writing every day   Molly understands, so it's okay      Ride a windy box car   See a thousand children, young and old   Oh, that grease paint smile   Can hide your soul      Here comes a carousel   Guess which town it is   Feel the thrill   Grease paint covers everything but winter's chill      I'm reading Molly's letter, the ink is fading   And the page is turning yellow   Long ago, I promised Molly   Don't you know I, I will close my eyes and go to her