Jim Adams is the organized, ever-analytical, and increasingly poetic host of Song Lyric Sunday.  Jim says …the theme for Song Lyric Sunday is Haunted/Magic/Mystery/Supernatural/Trick for this week.

Here are the “rules”:

• Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
• Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
• Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
• Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
• Ping back to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient, but you can also place your link in the comments if you don’t like to wait.
• Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
• Feel free to suggest future prompts.
• Have fun and enjoy the music.

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I immediately thought of this song for this week’s prompts, as the music and the lyrics are saturated with mystery and magic.

Renaissance are an English progressive rock band … that has developed a unique sound, combining a female lead vocal with a fusion of classical, folk, rock, and jazz influences. Characteristic elements of the Renaissance sound are Annie Haslam’s wide vocal range, prominent piano accompaniment, orchestral arrangements, vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser, and versatile drum work. The band created a significant following in the northeast United States in the 1970s, and that region remains their strongest fan base. Yes, they are still together, after myriad member changes.

Scheherazade and Other Stories is their sixth studio album, released in 1975. Some critics consider it their best album, although others prefer earlier albums. This is the first album in which Renaissance (Annie Haslam’s version) did not use quotes from actual classical pieces and the first not to feature any songwriting credits from the original members. Contrary to popular belief, “Song of Scheherazade” is not based on Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, but does have a recurring six-note motif that alludes to that work.

“Trip to the Fair” was about Annie Haslam’s first date with Roy Wood.

I took a trip down to look at the fair
When I arrived, I found nobody there
It seemed I was all alone
Must be that they’ve all gone home

A trip to the fair, but nobody was there
A trip to the fair, but nobody was there

Voices of yesterday make not a sound
Even the roundabout stopped going ’round
I wonder just what it means
Is everything how it seems?

A trip to the fair, but nobody was there
A trip to the fair, but nobody was there

A creak as the dodgems came onto the scene
Wheels began turning, I started to scream
A carousel swung around
My head spun and hit the ground

A trip to the fair, but nobody was there
A trip to the fair, but nobody was there

I close my eyes to disguise the fear from inside
Trembling within my own mind, I find no place to hide
Stars of tomorrow shine through the gray mist that has gone
I wish that this trip to the fair had never begun

Suddenly, thousands of faces I see
Everyone seemed to be staring at me
Clowns laughed in the penny arcade
What was this game my mind played?

I took a trip down to look at the fair
When I arrived, I found nobody there
It seemed I was all alone
Must be that they’ve all gone home

A trip to the fair, but nobody was there, but nobody was there…
A trip to the fair, but nobody was there, but nobody was there…
Songwriters: Michael Dunford / Betty Thatcher / John Tout