Lessons from the Way of the Showman - 52

"The rise of modern showbiz began during the seventeenth century, alongside the beginnings of a decline in the power of the Church. It was no coincidence. Prior to that time, the people's entertainment was despised and repressed by the ecclesiastical authorities. Their attitude did not change, they just gradually lost the power to enforce their prejudice. What was it about the medieval jugglers, minstrels, acrobats and rope-dancers that the Church found so objectionable? Did the churchmen suspect that these merry pleasures were the left-overs of an older religion, the remnants of ta once powerful and ancient magical tradition?"

"In order to penetrate the mysteries of showbusiness, we must begin somewhere near the beginnings of human culture. For modern showbiz is, in reality, a huge disguise. It is not as it appears to be..."

Rogan Taylor

Carnival Lullaby

All the world has gone to bed

and the fairground lights gone dead.

Little child its time to sleep,

the night is no reason to weep.

The strongman is drunk and passed out,

nuzzling the sea lions snout.

The Siamese twins called Ying and Yang

slept before the church bells clang.

Sleep my child don’t be afraid.

Rest your head on the pillows brocade.

If you sleep to night I promise true

the world will still be there for you

Don’t believe what the mad jester said,

dear child you’ve been mislead.

The world will go on without end

even if you sleep my friend

For the night is a time for dreams

when nothing is what it seems,

carousel horses flies through fairy floss clouds

high above the crowds

Sleep my child don’t be afraid.

rest your head on the pillows brocade.

If you sleep to night I promise true

the world will still be there for you.