Be a clown
Be a clown
All the world
Loves a clown
Be a fool
Play the calf
And you'll always have the last laugh
Wear the cap
And the bells
And you'll rate with all the great swells
If you become a doctor, folks'll face you with dread
If you become a dentist, they'll be glad when you're dead
You'll get a bigger hand if you can stand on your head
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
Be a clown
Be a clown
All the world
Loves a clown
Show them tricks
Tell 'em jokes
And you'll only stop with top folks
Wear some huge
Baggy pants
And you'll ride the road to romance
A butcher or a baker ladies never embrace
A barber at a ball would be a social disgrace
They all will come to call if you can fall on your face
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
Be a clown
Be a clown
All the world
Loves a clown
Be a grande buffoon
And the demoiselles'll all swoon
Be a crack Jackanapes
And they'll imitate you like apes
Why be a great composer with your rent in arrears?
Why be a major poet and you'll owe it for years
When crowds'll pay to giggle if you wiggle your ears?
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
Be a clown
Be a clown
All the world
Loves a clown
Be the poor, silly ass
And you'll always travel first class
Give 'em quips, give 'em fun
And they'll happy to say you're A-1
If you become a farmer, you've the weather to buck
If you become a gambler, then you're stuck with your luck
But Jack, you'll never lack if you can quack like a duck
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown