Stayed too long at the fair

Posted by ESC on February 09, 2005

In Reply to: Stayed too long at the fair posted by Susan 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

I agree with you.