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 my advice:

Chorus 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.
A butcher or a baker ladies never embrace.
A barber for a beau 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.

Chorus 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 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.

Chorus 5: “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 pay to say you’re A-One.
If you become a farmer, you’ve the weather to buck.
If you become a gambler, you’ll be 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.”