In the Big Top of the World
Aren’t we just a group of clowns?
Can’t let no one see our faces
When the curtain comes around.

We’re someone different when we hide
Behind the stripes of red and white.
But then prepare to act it up
Because the curtain’s going up.

Quick, put on the happy mask!
Stand up tall and looked relaxed!
Don’t ever let the wide world see
The people hiding underneath!
Clown paint and bright red noses
Wooly wigs and long dead roses.

Don’t we prance and skip and dance?
Don’t we sing across the stage?
Don’t we hop and skip and jump?
Aren’t we a fabulous parade?

Duck and cover,
Hide and seek,
Run for shelter,
Slink and sneak.

‘Cause in the Big Top of the World
Aren’t we just a group of clowns?
Don’t let no one see our faces
When the curtain comes around.

But when the curtain drops
Don’t the smiley faces droop?
Don’t the necks and shoulders slump?
Don’t we hunch and don’t we stoop?

When the curtain’s down we’re free
When the curtain’s down we’re done.
No more paint, just ugly faces;
The transformation has begun.

Don’t we bite and snarl and snap?
Don’t we yell across the room?
Don’t we whine and scream and moan?
Until the curtain’s up too soon.

Quick, put on the happy mask!
Stand up tall and looked relaxed!
Don’t ever let the wide world see
The people hiding underneath!
Clown paint and bright red noses
Wooly wigs and long dead roses.

See us prance and skip and dance?
See us sing across the stage?
Don’t we do it all so well?
Nothing from before remains.

Duck and cover,
Hide and seek,
Run for shelter,
Slink and sneak.

‘Cause in the Big Top of the World
Aren’t we just a group of clowns?
Won’t let no one see our faces
When the curtain comes around.

BUT
The question is:
Is the curtain up
Or down?