Finale
Debbie Reynolds/Gene Kelly Lyrics

I'll remember forever
The singer will always remember what follows as sound advice

When I was but three
The singer recalls that this advice was given to them at a very young age

Mama, who was clever
The singer's mother was wise and perceptive

Remarking to me
The mother shared this advice with the artist

If son when you're grown up
The artist's mother is looking ahead to the artist's future

You want everything nice
The singer's mother assumes the singer wants a comfortable life

I've got your future sewn up
The mother believes that the advice she has to offer will secure the singer's future

If you take this advice
The mother's advice follows

Be a clown, be a clown
The mother advises the artist to become a clown

All the world loves a clown
The mother asserts that being a clown will make the artist popular and beloved

Act the fool, play the calf
The mother encourages the singer to be silly and playful

And you'll always have the last laugh
The mother suggests that the artist will come out on top if they make others laugh

Wear the cap and the bells
The mother shares what kind of costume the singer should wear

And you'll rate with all the great swells
The mother believes that wearing clown clothing will make the singer popular among high society

If you become a doctor, folks'll face you with dread
The mother argues that becoming a clown is better than becoming a doctor because doctors make people uncomfortable

If you become a dentist, they'll be glad when you're dead
The mother claims that becoming a clown is better than becoming a dentist because no one likes going to the dentist

You'll get a bigger hand if you can stand on your head
The mother believes that acrobatic skills will make the artist more popular and successful as a clown

Show 'em tricks, tell 'em jokes
The mother advises the singer to be entertaining

And you'll only stop with top folks
The mother suggests that being a good clown will win the singer the admiration of the wealthy and influential

And they'll imitate you like apes
The mother argues that becoming a clown is better than a composer or poet because people will want to emulate the artist's behavior

Why be a great composer with your rent in arrears
The mother argues against pursuing a career in the arts because it may not be financially lucrative

Why be a major poet and you'll owe it for years
The mother emphasizes the financial struggles that often accompany a career in poetry

When crowds'll pay to giggle if you wiggle your ears
The mother believes that the audience for comedy is large and willing to pay for laughs

If you just make 'em roar
The mother emphasizes the importance of making people laugh

Watch your Mounte bank account soar
The mother suggests that being a successful clown will lead to financial prosperity

Wear a painted mustache
The mother gives the singer more specific instructions on what kind of costume to wear

And you're sure to make a big splash
The mother believes that the painted mustache will make the singer more popular as a clown

A college education I should never propose
The mother doesn't see the value in a traditional college education

A bachelor's degree won't even keep you in clothes
The mother believes that a college education isn't enough to guarantee financial stability

But millions you will win if you can spin on your nose
The mother believes that being a successful clown will be more lucrative than a traditional college degree

Give 'em quips, give 'em fun
The mother emphasizes the importance of being entertaining as a clown

And they'll happy to say you're A-1
The mother describes the kind of reputation the artist will earn as a good clown

If you become a farmer you've the weather to buck
The mother lists another undesirable job compared to being a clown

If you become a gambler you'll be stuck with your luck
The mother implies that being a gambler is not as desirable as being a clown, because a gambler's success relies on luck alone

But Jack you'll never lack if you can quack like a duck
The mother believes that being a successful clown requires little more than the ability to entertain an audience