VERSE
I?ll remember forever,
When I was but three,
Mama, who was clever.
Remarking to me?.
If son when you?re grown up
You want ev?rything nice
I?ve got your future sewn up
If you take this advice?

REFRAIN 1
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Act the 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 best swells
If you [bad word] a doctor, folks?ll face you with dread
If you [bad word] 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.

REFRAIN 2
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Be a crazy buffoon
And the demoiselles?ll all swoon
Dress in huge baggy pants
And you?ll ride the road to romance
butcher or a baker ladies never embrace
barber or a beau would be a social disgrace
They [bad word] to call if you can fall on your face
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown

REFRAIN 3
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Show ?em tricks tell ?em jokes
And you?ll only stop with top folks
Be a crack jackanapes
And they?ll imitate you like apes
Why be a [bad word] 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

REFRAIN 4
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
If you just make ?em roar
Watch your mountebank soar
Wear a painted moustache
And you?re sure to make a big splash
college education I should never propose
bachelor?s degree won?t even keep you in clo?es
But millions you will win if you can spin on your nose
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown

REFRAIN 5
Be a clown, be a clown
All the world loves a clown
Be the poor silly [bad word] And you?ll always travel first class
Give ?em quips, give ?em fun
And they?ll apy and say you?re A1
If you [bad word] a farmer you?ve the weather to buck
If you [bad word] a gambler you?ll be stuck with your luck
But Jack you?ll never lack if you can quack like a duck
(Quack, quack, quack, quack)
Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown.