Palace of Laughter

Step inside and take your seat

The show is starting soon,

The limelight lit and ready for the cast.

Sit right down and rest your feet,

The curtain and festoon

Will soon be raised to start the fun at last.

First will be the dancing girls

So eager to impress;

Kicking high, correctly in a row.

Appearing like a string of pearls,

Each in dazzling dress,

Waving to the menfolk as they go.

Champagne Charlie takes the stage,

The handsome lion comique;

Singing merry, witty songs with ease.

The stylish darling of the age

Performing, tongue in cheek,

Daring as the man on the trapeze.

Now music halls have closed their doors,

Those palaces of laughter

Are crumbled echoes of the past somehow;

Trouveurs from distant shores

Are lost forever after,

So, Champagne Charlie Leybourne take a bow

                                              ASJ