The Day The Laughter Died

© 2014 Mark Cote

Little boy made his mama smile
tears would vanish for awhile
that spark would be your glow
from Julliard a pantomime
make them laugh for a dime
never knew how far you would go

from the rumbling within the gym
what he learned protected him
whether he'd win or lose
he learned from every stinging bruise

I was learning the art of standing tall
how to laugh after a fall
never knew the angels would call
the day the laughter died

(chorus) shine shine shining bright star
                 was the burden just too heavy to carry so far
                 in the silence all alone we know who we are
                 the carnival is over the clown has fell down
                 the day the laughter died
                 the day the laughter died

and then it was all Happy Days
when we first met a man from space
we knew he'd return again
so it seemed, seasons flashed before our eyes
like some egg-filled Orken sky
but so little did we see....

oh. and as the candy was handed out
he accepted without a doubt
this monkey on his back
would take years to give back

clouded smiles would never show
opened doors above and below
to depths you never know
the day the laughter died

(chorus)

sell out sold out a colored stage
are you the bird within the cage
wonder how long it will last
and as years flew past
the screen called to him at last
such shadows he would cast

now children bouncing on his knee
he saw reflections of him in each
as they went out to play
what would they be some day

will the darkness he sees in him
be passed along down to them
I will always remember when
the day the laughter died

(chorus)

the loves that came the loves that went
would leave such a heavy dent
such a very high price to pay
leeches will bleed you dry
and in a silent room you cry
another tour another day

the audience would never know
the darkness behind the glow
the monkey on a string
the jester's in a sling

and looking back does it makes sense
yesterday in a future tense
the comedy now in suspense
the day the laughter died

(chorus)