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SMILE OF A CLOWN
He paints on his smile
in the lamp's yellow light
for he has to look happy
for all the people tonight
in his ragged old costume
and his old black felt hat
he is stuffing his britches
to make him look fat
toes out of his shoes
socks with holes and so warn
he looks really ragged
like he'd been caught in a storm
Now he's ready for action
for the stage he is bound
to make people happy
as he capers around
he jumps and he dances
and makes different frowns
but they can't see the sorrow
in the face of the clown
Today he was hard put
to go on alone
but he knows that he has to
for the show must go on
For this morn brought a message
t'was along about four
a lieutenant stood there
hat in hand at the door
told him a sad story
and he said he was sure
for the only son that he had now
was a POW in the war
and as he stood there
his heart turning colder than stone
He fell on his knee and prayed
please God, don't let it be too late
and please let him come home
he's all I have left now
and I can't go on alone
Oh God may I ask you
may I ask you what for
that you took my young son
and made him a prisoner of war
And as he turned back inside
tears streamed down his face
and he knew that to ask why
well it wasn't his place
because God has the big plan
laid before him each day
and He makes the decisions
as life goes on it's way
So he goes on the stage now
and gaily performs
while his heart slowly breaks
and he silently mourns
Now he's out there just dancing
and clowning around
bur no one sees the tear drops
of old 'Pepe the clown'
tho his heart has been broken
he will just go on alone
as he paints on a big smile
fot the show must go on
