My makeup is dry and it cracks round my chin
I'm drowning my sorrows in whiskey and gin
The lion-tamer's whip doesn't crack anymore
The lions they won't fight and the tigers won't roar

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
So let's all drink to the death of a clown
Won't someone help me to break up this crown?
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Let's all drink to the death of a clown

The old fortune teller lies dead on the floor
Nobody needs fortunes told anymore
The trainer of insects is crouched on his knees
And frantically looking for runaway fleas

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
So won't someone help me to break up this crown?
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Let's all drink to the death of a clown
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...


Lyrics submitted by thewallbreaker67

Death of a Clown Lyrics as written by Raymond Douglas Davies Dave Davies

Lyrics © Abkco Music Inc.

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Death Of A Clown song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    I've always thought this song is about the downfall of the clown, someone whose job is to make others happy. "Let's all drink to the death of a clown" means that people either don't care or find pleasure in his demise. Dave extends the scenario to include other circus staff as well, all of whom no longer have their former glory and are struggling with current hardship.

    "Nobody needs fortunes told anymore" probably signifies the end of an era, which implies how helpless the circus staffs are against the harsh reality.

    bfactoron February 02, 2014   Link

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