Ralph McTell is probably best known for the song Streets of London which has been covered by over a hundred artists around the world. From Clare to Here has proved almost as popular, during a long and continuing recording and performing career.
McTell's guitar style has been influenced by many of the USA's country blues 'Piedmont- style' guitar players of the early 20th century, including Blind Blake and Blind Willie McTell, from whom he took his name.
Clown
Ralph McTell Lyrics
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And clown goes back into his caravan.
Hangs up his smile on a hook by the door
And lets his ragged coat slip to the floor.
With the sound of the children's laughter
Still ringing in his ears.
Laughing 'cause they're happy,
They laugh to hide their fears.
For, like him, they fear.
The world does not exist tonight,
And only the circus,
Only the circus is real.
As real as the elephants that trumpet in the ring.
Real like the trapeze, see it swing.
Real like the man who eats real fire,
Real like the lady on the high wire.
But the people have gone, his identity gone.
Clown peeps through he window of his caravan.
From the trees on the common
The town looks so small.
Clown puts on his coat and goes out the door.
And the distant neon lights
They shine above the town.
"It's almost like a circus", thinks clown.
Then half with fear
And half with delight,
Shivering, shaking.
Clown stands laughing,
Clown stands laughing,
Clown is laughing at the night.
The song "Clown" by Ralph McTell portrays the life of a circus clown. The song opens with the image of the circus tent going dark as the last of the audience leaves. The clown retreats to his caravan where he hangs up his smile and takes off his ragged coat. In the silence, he can still hear the laughter of the children, which both delights him and saddens him. The clown loves the children because they are like him, they fear. In the world of the circus, though, the fear is suspended, and the only reality is the circus. The circus is unreal but paradoxically real, as real as the elephants that trumpet in the ring or the trapeze that swings. The clown subsumes himself in the circus and finds solace there because for a few hours, he can escape his own life, where he is a nobody.
However, the clown's identity also rests on the circus. When the circus leaves town, the clown is compelled to leave as well, back to reality. As he looks out from his caravan, the town looks tiny, and neon lights glow in the distance. The clown realizes that his life is also like the circus, a show put on for the world's pleasure, and he is only one small act in it. He is half-afraid and half-excited as he steps outside, shivering and shaking. But then he starts laughing, laughing at the irony of his life and his fears. The clown stands laughing at the night, embracing himself and his life.
Line by Line Meaning
The lights have gone dim, and the people are gone.
The show is over, the audience is gone, and the circus is quiet.
And clown goes back into his caravan.
The clown returns to his mobile home, leaving the stage behind.
Hangs up his smile on a hook by the door
The clown takes off his painted face, acknowledging the end of his performance.
And lets his ragged coat slip to the floor.
The clown removes his bulky costume, relaxing after a tiring day.
With the sound of the children's laughter still ringing in his ears.
The memory of joyful children's laughter echoes in the clown's mind.
Laughing 'cause they're happy, they laugh to hide their fears.
Children express their joy through laughter, but also laugh to mask their insecurities.
Clown loves the children, for, like him, they fear.
The clown empathizes with children who experience uncertainty, just like he does in his profession.
The world does not exist tonight, and only the circus, only the circus is real.
The circus is a self-contained environment where the clown feels at home, as it is the only reality he knows tonight.
As real as the elephants that trumpet in the ring.
The animals in the ring are as real as the people who perform there, and the clown enjoys their presence.
Real like the trapeze, see it swing.
The trapeze is a real object, that swings and moves as performers use it, adding to the authenticity of the circus.
Real like the man who eats real fire,
The fire-eater is a real person, performing an incredible and frightening stunt that enhances the realism of the circus.
Real like the lady on the high wire.
The tightrope artist is a real person, performing a dangerous feat that increases the authenticity of the circus.
But the people have gone, his identity gone.
The clown's audience has left, leaving behind an empty feeling of loss.
Clown peeps through the window of his caravan.
The clown looks out of his temporary home, observing the outside world.
From the trees on the common, the town looks so small.
The clown views the world from a different perspective, noticing the smallness of the town from his elevated view.
Clown puts on his coat and goes out the door.
The clown dresses up again, preparing to face the outside world.
And the distant neon lights, they shine above the town.
The brightness of the town's lights contrasts with the darkness of the circus, creating a sense of separation for the clown.
"It's almost like a circus", thinks clown.
The clown perceives the town as resembling a circus in its chaos and energy.
Then half with fear and half with delight, shivering, shaking.
The clown feels mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness, causing him to physically tremble.
Clown stands laughing, clown stands laughing, clown is laughing at the night.
The clown laughs at the night as a coping mechanism for his complex emotions, embracing his role as an entertainer and an individual.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RALPH MC TELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind