Some clowns act gay and happy Big smiles and big feet too They dance around and make you laugh At least they hope they do Beneath that heavy makeup Is just another guy Who tries to always look up-beat You’ll never see them cry Some other clowns are different They wear a face of gloom They play the part of hopeless bums All weariness and doom I was a clown myself once I wore the painted face Yes, once I played the big top That was my favorite place And I was quite the star then Right in that central cast But that was long ago now My clowning days have passed They banned me from the circus They said I went too far I got too fat and couldn’t climb Out of that little car So I was stuck inside it Yeah, me and several more With my new girth I couldn’t move Could not get out that door The audience applauded They laughed with pure delight But it was not part of the show That was my final night So I hung up my red nose And my suspenders too I only wear them ‘round the house When I am feeling blue I miss being in the circus When I was still a clown I’ll sometimes do a pratfall When no one is around I miss the sights and smells, too The audience, you know There’s nothing like just clowning ‘round And putting on a show But I still wear those big shoes They won’t come off my feet You’ll always hear them slapping down When I walk up the street Some people think I’m clowning But that’s not how I feel That sad face that looks painted on Is not make-up; it’s real So if you join the circus And want to be a clown My advice to you would be Don’t let those kiddies down Always be the happy clown You too could be a star Just don’t get overweight like me And GET OUT OF THAT CAR! |