Doris Day — Sawdust Spangles and Dreams

What is a circus? What does it mean? Is it a banjo? Or a tambourine? Is it a phony snake charmer routine? No, my friends. I think you only stall, my friends You’re thinking much too small, my friends Or else you’re not thinking at all, my friends When people think of “circus”, the wherefore and the why’s of it They think of all the adjectives, proclaiming what’s the size of it! For instance: Tremendous, stupendous, terrific, prolific, gigantic, romantic, sensational! Razzling and dazzling, prodigious, insidious, ferocious, explosious, inspirational! An ordinary tightwire or flying act Becomes the greatest death-defying act! You can bet They will sweat When you do your pirouette Without a net! Super, super, duper, duper Hoop the hoop and loop the looper Something cataclysmic for the kiddies The most amazing melody of merriment and mirth The circus is the greatest show on Earth Sawdust and spangles and dreams Popcorn and crackerjack play a part Everything glitters and gleams Under the big top that’s in your heart What if it’s tarnished and a bit second hand To all the people it’s a magic land Over the rainbow, it seems Is sawdust … and spangles … and dreams! [Instrumental] We’re gonna march around the Hippodrome track And let the people see that Jumbo’s back Everything glitters and gleams With sawdust and spangles and dreams! [Instrumental] Sawdust and spangles and dreams Sawdust and spangles and dreams Everything glitters and gleams Sawdust … spangles Sawdust and spangles and dreams Popcorn and crackerjack play a part It can’t be love because I feel so well No sobs, no sorrows, no sighs This can’t be love, I get no dizzy spells Some people come for the animals Some for the smells and the sounds But you must agree, everybody comes to see Those lovable, laughable clowns! The makeup, the wigs, and the baggy pants The jokes and the gags and the gaffe Though your heart is breaking, start your merrymaking And laugh, clown, laugh! [Instrumental] Tell all the people, shout it up and down The wonderful Wonder circus is back in town! Over the rainbow, it seems Is stardust and spangles and dreams [Instrumental]