這算是一首E.C.的隱藏曲。
Eric Clapton 在 1992 年的 Unplugged 專輯為人所熟知。尤其加上當時為人所傳述的悲劇事件(1991年3月20日,Clapton 的四歲小兒子意外從紐約一棟53樓公寓的窗口跌出死亡),他唱的 Tears in Heaven 悼念兒子,感動了許多人。
然而在當年 MTV 的 Unplugged 演唱會中還有另外一首歌,叫做 Circus Left Town,許多樂迷在網上討論區會提到更喜歡的這一首歌(宣可也是更愛這首歌 )。不知為何,這首歌並沒有收錄在後來正式發行的 Unplugged 專輯中(據說可能因演出時情緒過多使曲子表現失去平衡)。
當年宣可朋友老肇從美國寄了一卷家錄的MTV台現場演唱錄影帶,裡面有這首歌,可是錄影帶已經找不到了,只留下翻錄的音檔。
裡面可以聽到E.C.自述,唱這些歌對他而言像是一個療癒過程,他在小兒子Conor意外發生前一晚,還帶他到馬戲團去遊玩。
這首歌裡面自始至終以流暢的和弦節奏進行,帶著淡淡的憂傷,從回憶兒子去馬戲團的情景,跳接到所有人聚集在一起,因為帶來歡樂的馬戲團離城(隱喻兒子已經走了)。
最後宣可在網上找到另一位有心人貢獻的Unplugged演唱版--Circus left town.
CIRCUS LEFT TOWN
Little man with his eyes on fire
And his smile so bright.
In his hands are the toys you gave
To fill his heart with delight.
And in the ring stands a circus clown
Holding up a knife.
What you see and what you will hear
Will last you for the rest of your life.
And it's sad, so sad,
There ain't no easy way round.
And it's sad, so sad,
All you friends gather round
'Cause the circus left town.
Little man with his heart so pure
And his love so fine.
Stick with me and I'll ride with you
Till the end of the line.
Hold my hand and I'll walk with you
Through the darkest night.
And when I smile I'll be thinking of you
And every little thing will be all right.
Chorus
Chorus
The circus left town, left town.
The circus left town, left town.


