This song explores the cyclical nature of life. It was inspired by the huge merry-go-round at Disneyland. The song really came to life when Dave Hudson came up with that rolling 12-string part.
Lyrics
Merry-Go-Round
Pay your dime and spend some time on the merry-go-round
Step inside and take a ride, go up and down
Stay all day just laughing' away, forget your frown
You can be what you want to be on the merry-go-round
Travel by, you're riding high on the road that never ends
When you think you've seen it all, you see it all again
Every time by, the scene changes
As you ride, the scene rearranges
Listen to the music playin'
As on your horse your mind is swayin'
Be a villain or be a clown
When you ride the merry-go-round
We're all in place as we race our way around
Never winning never lose, just movie' on and on
It's music is the only sound, it carries you
On the merry-go-round
Slowin' down, we go around for the very last time
Let it stop then off you hop, that's the end of the line
Pay your dime and spend some time goin' Up and down
You can be what you want to be
On the merry-go-round
© Copyright Gary Poole & Dave Hudson, 1970