Graham Parker - THEY MURDERED THE CLOWN Lyrics

INTRO: A Em A Em Gm
A Em G D
The ringmaster looked a bit pasty and down Dying as he was to get out of town
A Em
The lions and the tigers had gnawed at his feet
G D
But the lion tamer's whip hurt much more than their teeth
A Em G D
The Giovanni Sisters performed in a sweat Someone cut holes in the safety net
A Em
The Ritzo Brothers cancelled at the last minute
G D
But no one missed their act there wasn't much in it

CHORUS
A Em D A
And after the show that night The clowns had the makeup wiped from their faces
A Em D A
When somebody pulled a knife and cut off Coco's bright red braces
A D A E A D A E
They murdered the clown They wiped that grin right off his face
A D A E A D A E
They murdered the clown Still the world's not a funnier place
Em Gm
funnier place (first and last time only)

The kids rode the elephant heavy as lead
I think he'd much rather have sat on their heads
They're ripping the horn from the Rhino tonight
So some fat Sheik can f*ck all night
And watch out for Coco when he's had a drink
He'll tickle the children right where they're pink
You might run away with the circus for fun
But it