Born into the circus from a long family line
He always seemed so happy, no-one saw the signs
But the path that he trod on was never his choice
He hid his despair behind a helium voice

So he made funny faces and took the pratfalls
As the striped canvas closed in like grey prison walls
One small glass, just for courage, to help get him through
then the glass it got bigger, and one became two...

Through the sound of the trumpets and roar of the crowd
The call of the bottle was simply too loud
Behind his painted smile is a world-weary frown
He's Staggers, the alcoholic clown

The stress of performing, the pressure of the stage
Always filled him with festering, impotent rage
There was no-one to talk to, he couldn't explain
In a job known for laughter, he knew only pain

Soon his tumbles got clumsy, his speech became slurred
Each night from his trailer quiet sobbing was heard
Then one day after cleaning off his white makeup
Took a handful of pills and just didn't wake up

Through the sound of the trumpets and roar of the crowd
The call of the bottle was simply too loud
Behind his painted smile is a world-weary frown
He's Staggers, the alcoholic clown

It's a heartbreaking vision to see a clown cry
Now he's laughing with God in that tent in the sky
His spirit is free now, nothing's holding him down
He's Staggers, he's Staggers, he's Staggers,
The alcoholic clown

See also:
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Sergio Galleguillo y Los Amigos Para Los Ojos Mas Bellos Lyrics
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