Cole Porter — Be a Clown

(Verse) [SERAFIN] I remember forever When I was three Mama, who was clever Remarking to me "Son, when you're grown up And you want everything nice I've got your future sewn up If you'll take this advice." (Chorus 1) [SERAFIN] 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 (instrumental break) (Chorus 2) [SERAFIN AND MANUELA] Be a clown Be a clown All the world Loves a clown [SERAFIN] Show them tricks [MANUELA] Tell 'em jokes [SERAFIN AND MANUELA] And you'll only stop with top folks Wear some huge Baggy pants And you'll ride the road to romance [SERAFIN] A butcher or a baker ladies never embrace [MANUELA] A barber at a ball would be a social disgrace [SERAFIN AND MANUELA] They all will come to call if you can fall on your face Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown (Chorus 3) [SERAFIN AND MANUELA] Be a clown Be a clown All the world Loves a clown [SERAFIN] Be a grande buffoon [MANUELA] And the demoiselles'll all swoon [SERAFIN AND MANUELA] Be a crack Jackanapes And they'll imitate you like apes [SERAFIN] Why be a great composer with your rent in arrears? [MANUELA] Why be a major poet and you'll owe it for years [SERAFIN AND MANUELA] When crowds'll pay to giggle if you wiggle your ears? Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown (Chorus 4) [SERAFIN AND MANUELA] Be a clown Be a clown All the world Loves a clown [SERAFIN] Be the poor, silly ass [MANUELA] And you'll always travel first class [SERAFIN AND MANUELA] Give 'em quips, give 'em fun And they'll happy to say you're A-1 [SERAFIN] If you become a farmer, you've the weather to buck [MANUELA] If you become a gambler, then you're stuck with your luck [SERAFIN AND MANUELA] But Jack, you'll never lack if you can quack like a duck Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown (comedy break) Be a clown, be a clown, be a clown