Lyrics
It's Jimmy ""Mumble-the-Peg""
Refers to Jimmy "Mumble-the-Peg," an individual providing information.
who told Billy ""the Knife""
Billy "the Knife" is informed by Jimmy about an incident at the market.
what happened down at the market last night
Details about the incident at the market the previous night.
they 've got a brand new show
Announcement of a new show at Fleet Street.
way down at the fleet street
The location of the new show is Fleet Street.
with creatures he ain't seen in his life
Reference to unusual creatures at the show.
here at the freak show
Introduction to the freak show.
where the trouble began
The origin of trouble with a man named Frederick Treves.
with a man named Frederick Treves
Introduction of Frederick Treves.
his life did change
Turning point in Treves' life upon encountering Joseph Merrick.
when he saw Joseph Merrick
The moment Treves first sees Joseph Merrick, formerly known as "the Beast."
formally known as ""the Beast""
Joseph Merrick's former name and association with being a beast.
Here comes the Elephant Man
Introduction of the Elephant Man, John Merrick.
Here comes the Elephant Man
Repetition of the introduction to emphasize the arrival of John Merrick.
But his name is John Merrick and he ain't no animal
Clarification that John Merrick is not an animal despite the title "Elephant Man."
well, Mr. Treves saw the chances
Mr. Treves recognizes opportunities upon seeing the monstrous John Merrick.
when he saw the monster
Describes the physical appearance of John Merrick as a monster.
and he brought him to his office that day
Treves brings Merrick to his office, initiating their association.
John was a sensation
John Merrick becomes a sensation due to his unusual deformities.
-his strange deformation
Highlight of John Merrick's strange deformations.
and so Frederick Treves made him stay
Treves decides to keep Merrick around.
the doctors were scared
Doctors are apprehensive, thinking Merrick is insane.
they thought Johnny was insane
Medical professionals perceive Merrick as insane based on appearance.
'cos they kept on thinking with their eyes
Doctors judge Merrick based on appearance rather than understanding.
but then the beast started praying down on his knees
Merrick begins praying, changing perceptions of those around him.
and suddenly they started to realize...
Realization dawns upon observers as Merrick expresses spirituality.
so John's lived in London
John Merrick resides in London under hospital care.
up under a roof
He lives under the roof of a hospital since the encounter with Treves.
of a hospital since that day
Details about Merrick's life post-hospitalization.
Merrick started talking, painting and working
Merrick engages in activities like talking, painting, and working like an ordinary person.
like a common man
Transformation of Merrick into a common man under Treves' care.
but after a while
Jack the Ripper begins killing, causing fear and unrest.
Jack the Ripper started killing
People, frightened by the unusual, accuse Merrick of crimes due to his differences.
and you know people are scared of the strange
Reference to societal fear of the unfamiliar and its consequences.
so they accused John Merrick of all these crimes
Unjust accusations lead to trouble for John Merrick once again.
and the trouble started again
Resurgence of difficulties for Merrick due to false accusations.
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