Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite
"It was from an old poster I'd bought in an antique shop. I went into this shop and bought an old poster advertising a variety show which starred Mr. Kite. I hardly made up a word, just connecting lines together word for word really. I wasn't very proud of that. There was no real work" John Lennon
For the benefit of Mr. Kite
There will be a show tonight on trampoline
The Hendersons will all be there
Late of Pablo Fanques Fare
What a scene!
Over men and horses hoops and garters
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire
In this way Mister K
will challenge the world
The celebrated Mister K
Performs his feat on Saturday
At Bishop's Gate
The Hendersons will dance and sing
As Mister Kite flies through the ring
Don't be late!
Messrs. K and H assure the public
Their production will be second to none
And of course Henry the Horse dances the waltz
The band begins at ten to six
When Mister K performs his tricks
Without a sound
And Mister H will demonstrate
Ten sommersets he'll undertake
On solid ground
Having been some days in preparation
A splendid time is guaranteed for all
And tonight, Mister Kite is topping the bill
The antique shop where John purchased the poster, on 31 January, 1967, was located in Sevenoaks, Kent. The poster referred to a fair that took place in Lancashire in 1843.
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