Circle Game

Circle Game 

Yesterday a child went out to wander
Caught a dragon fly inside a jar.
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star.

chorus
And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
And the painted ponies go up and down.
We're captive on a carousel of time.
We can't return, we can only look
Behind from where we came.
And go 'round, and 'round, and 'round in the circle game. 

Now the boy's gone ten times 'round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams.
Words like when you're older must appease him
And promise of "someday"make his dreams.

chorus
And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
And the painted ponies go up and down.
We're captive on a carousel of time.
We can't return, we can only look
Behind from where we came.
And go 'round, and 'round, and 'round in the circle game. 

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels though the town
And they tell him, take your time, it won't be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow those circles down.

chorus
And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
And the painted ponies go up and down.
We're captive on a carousel of time.
We can't return, we can only look
Behind from where we came.
And go 'round, and 'round, and 'round in the circle game. 

Years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
But there'll be new dreams, even better dreams and plenty
Before that last revolving year is through.

chorus
And the seasons they go 'round and 'round
And the painted ponies go up and down.
We're captive on a carousel of time.
We can't return, we can only look
Behind from where we came.
And go 'round, and 'round, and 'round in the circle game. 

Courtesy of the Girl Scouts, San Diego-Imperial Council.