[Intro]
Round (and round and round)
Reaching for the ring
Round (and round and round)
Can you do your thing
[Verse 1]
Can I pay attention
Maintain focus
Make the extension
Amidst ruckus
[Chorus]
The mechanics of the game
(and the dynamic nature of the ride)
Are the odds the same
(If your skills reside on the inside)
[Bridge]
Round (and round and round)
Reaching for the ring
Round (and round and round)
Can I do my thing
(And make my heart sing)
[Verse 2]
Now, it’s in my timing
Extending just right
Focus keep on priming
Connecting with the light
[Chorus]
The mechanics of the game
(and the dynamic nature of the ride)
Are the odds the same
(If your skills reside on the inside)
[Bridge]
Round (and round and round)
Reaching for the ring
Round (and round and round)
Let’s do our thing
(Making hearts sing)
[Chorus]
The mechanics of the game
(and the dynamic nature of the ride)
Are the odds the same
(If your skills reside on the inside)
[Bridge]
Round (and round and round)
Reaching for the ring
Round (and round and round)
Can I do my thing
(And make your heart sing)
[Outro]
Round (and round and round)
Doing our thing
(Making hearts sing)
A SCIENCE AND MATH NOTE
The tradition of “getting the brass ring” on a merry-go-round combines both skill and luck due to the mechanics of the game and the dynamic nature of the ride. Typically, the brass ring could be exchanged for a prize, most often a free ride on the carousel.
- Skill Involved:
- Riders must time their reach accurately to grab the ring while the carousel is moving. This requires hand-eye coordination and a good sense of timing. Is your horse moving up and down, too?
- Riders must also maintain balance while leaning out to reach the ring, which adds a physical challenge. The possibility of falling off adds additional stress.
- Successfully retrieving the brass ring often depends on practice and an understanding of the rhythm of the carousel.
- Luck Involved:
- Not every ring dispensed is brass; most are iron or another less valuable material, so there is an element of randomness in whether the rider even has a chance to grab the brass ring.
- The placement of the ring dispenser on the carousel, and how easily it can be accessed from a given horse or seat, also introduces an element of chance.
This mix of skill and luck made the act of grabbing the brass ring both exciting and rewarding, symbolizing an achievement earned through effort with a touch of good fortune. The phrase has since evolved metaphorically to mean seizing a rare or valuable opportunity.