Elvira was a circus girl who walked the tightrope bravely.
She travelled through Europe, and she knew what men were for.
He was in the cavalry wore braid upon his tunic;
A handsome bearded horseman who had never been to war.
You would say if you met them they were golden eyed children,
For the one thing they wanted they gave up health and fame.
God help Elvira, and God help her lover,
And God help anyone who tries to do the same.
He left his wife and children in the regiment behind him,
Stripped the braid from his tunic, tossed his buttons on the ground.
She left the roaring crowds and the lights of the circus
To go with a deserter and run from town to town.
And many's the time they thought they'd found their safety;
A room to love and shelter from the wind and the rain.
But a knock on the door, a face at the window,
And many's the time they were on the move again.
You would say if you met them they were golden eyed children,
For the one thing they wanted they gave up health and fame.
God help Elvira, and God help her lover,
And God help anyone who tries to do the same.
She sold her last possessions and bought a loaf and butter.
He robbed a hen house and they left once more to roam.
In the middle of a meadow they both sat down to picnic,
When he touched Elvira she was cold as a stone.
Elvira knew that the pistol was hidden in the basket.
She whispered to her lover, make it soon, make it soon,
Elvira chased the butterfly and caught it in her fingers,
She fell from the tightrope and the audience went home.
You would say if you met them they were golden eyed children,
For the one thing they wanted they gave up health and fame.
God help Elvira, and God help her lover,
And God help anyone who tries to do the same.