"Three Ring Government" is a song in Schoolhouse Rock!, which can be seen in America Rock. The song teaches us about the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive Branches. It is sung by Lynn Ahrens in the perspective of a schoolboy who dreams about a three-ring circus in school.
Lyrics[]
Gonna have a three-ring circus someday,
People will say, "It's a fine one, son."
Gonna have a three-ring circus someday,
People will come from miles around.
Lions, tigers, acrobats and jugglers and clowns galore,
Tightrope walkers, pony riders, elephants, and so much more...
Guess I got the idea right here at school.
Felt like a fool when they called my name,
Talking about the government and how it's arranged,
Divided in three like a circus.
Ring one, Executive,
Two is Legislative, that's Congress.
Ring three, Judiciary.
See it's kind of like my circus, circus.
Step right up and visit ring number one.
The show's just begun. Meet the President.
"I am here to see that the laws get done."
The ringmaster of the government.
On with the show!
Hurry, hurry, hurry to ring number two.
See what they do in the Congress.
Passing laws and juggling bills,
Oh, it's quite a thrill in the Congress.
Focus your attention on ring number three.
The Judiciary's in the spotlight.
The courts take the law and they tame the crimes.
Balancing the wrongs with your rights.
No one part can be more powerful than any other is.
Each controls the other, you see, and that's what we call checks and balances.
Well, everybody's act is part of the show.
And no one's job is more important.
The audience is kinda like the country, you know,
Keeping an eye on their performance.
Ring one, Executive,
Two is Legislative, that's Congress.
Ring three, Judiciary.
See, it's kind of like my circus, my circus.
Gonna have a three-ring circus someday.
People will say, "It's a fine one, son."
But until I get it, I'll do my thing
With government.
It's got three rings.
Trivia[]
- The song never aired and was delayed for several years because executives at ABC were concerned that the FCC and Congress would resent being compared to a circus and threaten their broadcast license renewal. This was unavailable on the 1987 VHS release of America Rock, though this was preserved on home media releases since 1995 and Disney+, the song was also available on the Leapster game "Schoolhouse Rock! - America Rock".
- This is the only Schoolhouse Rock! segment designed by noted cartoonist Arnold Roth.
