She was older than Chicago
she was nine years old
but she never did nothing like she was told
she played in the prison yard when the sun had set
‘cause the circus never comes to Joliet

this hole ain’t right for swimming
but we can play in the drain
there’s an old man comes out of there
every time it rains
some things that happened in that place
I’d just as soon forget
‘cause the circus never comes to Joliet

down at the skating rink I’m having my first drink
it’s high time I got started forgetting
find me a mean-faced Carlene
or a sweet-smelling Sue
and get down to some serious petting
so climb upon the razorwire and come along with me
ain’t it funny how this prison makes me feel free

Ain’t it hard when you’re awkward
Ain’t it hard when you’re weird
Ain’t it hard when you’re frightened
Ain’t it hard when you’re queer
My whole life I’ve been waiting, ain’t nothing been right yet
‘cause the circus never comes to Joliet