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Stayed too long at the fair

Posted by Susan on February 08, 2005

In Reply to: Stayed too long at the fair posted by Henry on February 08, 2005

: : : Can anyone tell me the origin and meaning of the phrase "stayed too long at the fair". Thank you, Susan.

: : There's a song. But I don't know if that is the original use:

: : I wanted the music to play on forever
: : Have I stayed too long at the fair?
: : I wanted the clown to be constantly clever
: : Have I stayed too long at the fair?
: : I brought me blue ribbons to tie up my hair
: : But I couldn't find anybody to care
: : The merry-go-round is beginning to slow now
: : Have I stayed too long at the fair?
: : There is nothing to win,
: : And there's no one to want me...

: It is a familiar phrase. Here's another song from Bonnie Raitt's album of 1972; Give it up, Too long at the fair by Joel Zoss

: Jesus cried, wept and died
: I guess he went up to heaven
: I've been downtown such a long, long time
: I'll never make it home by seven
: Won't you come & take me home
: I've been too long at the fair
: And, lord, I just can't stand it anymore

: I presume it means the person has spent too long at pleasure, perhaps like Ciderella.

Thanks! I am familiar with the Bonnie Raitt song, but not the other, so that was interesting. I thought perhaps the phrase meant that staying too long - at anything - lessens the luster - like too much of anything is no good. Close - no cigar. Again, many thanks, Susan

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