"Send In The Clowns" is a slow, elegant piece of music. The song itself is arranged into five verses, most of which follow the same scheme as the example below:
Don't you love farce? A
My fault I fear. B
I thought that you'd want what I want. C
Sorry, my dear. B
But where are the clowns? D
Quick, send in the clowns. D
Don't bother, they're here. B
My fault I fear. B
I thought that you'd want what I want. C
Sorry, my dear. B
But where are the clowns? D
Quick, send in the clowns. D
Don't bother, they're here. B
However, each verse varies slightly, mostly near the end. Verse Three is an interesting exception to this, but we'll get to that later. The meter also varies quite a bit. The first two lines are Iambic Dimeter, with the third switching to Iambic Trimeter and one left over syllable, before going back to Dimeter for line four. Lines five through seven are in Amphibrachic-Iambic Dimeter.
This song laments the loss of love. The speaker, Desiree, has just learned that the man she loves doesn't want to leave his wife for her. Throughout the song, she compares her feelings to a joke in a show. She repeatedly asks to "Send in the clowns", before realizing that in the end, she is the fool, stating "Don't bother, they're here". The poem ends with her saying "Well, maybe next year", a statement reminiscent of what a sad child might be told after missing clowns.
Desiree's heart is broken, that much is certain. But there is definitely more to this song than heartbreak. It laments the ridiculousness of loving someone who doesn't love you back. It is a tragically beautiful poem, and combined with the music, it makes for a sad and stunning piece. I'd highly recommend giving it a listen through.
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