Lennon's mystery of "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" debunked

Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

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 Fair-what a scene

Over men and horses hoops and garters

Lastly through a hogshead of real fire!

In this way Mr. K. will challenge the world!

The celebrated Mr. K.

Performs his feat on Saturday at Bishopsgate

The Hendersons will dance and sing

As Mr. Kite flys 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 Mr. K. performs his tricks without a sound

And Mr. H. will demonstrate

Ten summersets 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.

I love this song. This is the story:

"Lennon was inspired to write the song by a 19th century circus poster for Pablo Fanque's Circus Royal that he purchased in an antique shop in on 31 January 1967, while filming the promotional video for "Strawberry Fields Forever" in Sevenoaks, Kent.[ Lennon said that 




"Everything from the song is from that poster, except the horse wasn't called Henry." (The poster identifies the horse as "Zanthus".) Mr. Kite is believed to be William Kite, who worked for Pablo Fanque from 1843 to 1845." Wikipedia.