Elvira Madigan - Elvira

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