Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite

By John T. Marck

Recorded at Studio two, Abbey Road, February 17 & 20 and March 28, 29 & 31, 1967. The album version is mixed from take 9.Somewhere along the way, John came across a poster, printed in 1843 that announced the appearance of a circus coming to town. They called it Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal, and boasted the "grandest night of the season," at Town Meadows, in the north of England. Directly written on this poster was "for the benefit of Mr. Kite," and featured Mr. J. Henderson, a well known Somerset. As a result, Lennon wrote Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite! All the characters in the song and the feats they would perform, came directly from this poster.

For the benefit of Mr. Kite, there will be a show tonight on trampoline

The Hendersons will all be there, late of Pablo Fanques'fair, what a scene

Over men and horses hoops and garters and lastly through a hogshead of real fire,

In this way Mr. K will challenge the world

The celebrated Mr. K performs his feats on Saturday at Bishopsgate

The Hendersons will dance and sing, as Mr. Kite flies through the ring, don't be late

Messers 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 Mr. K performs his tricks without a sound

And Mr. H will demonstrate ten somersets he'll undertake on solid ground

Having been some days in preparation a splendid time is guaranteed for all,

And tonight Mr. Kite is topping the bill

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