Living a Little, Laughing a Little
Embracing Life's Irony: A Journey Through John Hiatt's Musical Carousel
Lyrics
Laugh everyone at the clown
People should laugh at the clown; he's considered the best in town.
He's the best one in town, ummm ummm
Enjoy riding on his merry-go-round, which spins faster than sound.
Ride on his merry-go-round
The repetition seems to express a sound effect or non-verbal expression.
Spinning faster than sound
Laugh at the funny man's tears even though his makeup is smudged.
Uuuuh huh uuuh huh
Another non-verbal expression, perhaps indicating a reaction or emotion.
Laugh as the funny man cries
Find amusement in his comical drawings as he erases signs of aging.
Though his makeup is smeared
Another non-verbal expression, possibly indicating a reaction or emotion.
Uuuuh huuuh
Expressing the difficulty of living a little and laughing a little.
Laugh at his funny pictures
Continuing to emphasize the challenge of living and laughing minimally.
As he [paints out the years?]
Reiteration of the difficulty expressed in lines 14-16.
Uuuuh huh uuuuh huh
Livin' just a little
Expressing the challenge of living life to its fullest extent.
Laughing just a little
Highlighting the difficulty of finding joy or amusement in life's moments.
Ain't easy, uuuuuh huuuuh
Reinforcing the idea that living and laughing a little is not simple.
Livin' just a little
Reiterating the challenge of living life partially and finding amusement minimally.
Laughing just a little
Continuing to emphasize the difficulty in finding joy in life's moments.
Ain't easy
Repeating the sentiment that it's not easy to live and laugh a little.
Laugh everyone at the fool with his heart in his hand
Encouraging laughter at the fool who wears his heart openly.
Uuuuh huuuh
Mmmmm, he can't quite understand that he's less than a man
He cannot grasp that he's undervaluing himself.
Uuuuh huuuh uuuuh huuuh
Reinforcing the idea that he's unaware of his self-worth.
[?] there's an ember of pride
There's a small trace of dignity or self-respect remaining.
Uuuuh huuuh
Watch how he tries hard to hide that he's dying inside
Observing how hard he tries to conceal his inner turmoil.
Uuuuh huuuh
Expressing his hidden emotional struggle.
Uuuuh huuuh
Livin' just a little
Emphasizing the difficulty of living life partially.
Laughing just a little
Reiterating the challenge of finding amusement in limited experiences.
Ain't easy, uuuuuh huuuuh
Repeating the idea that it's not easy to live and laugh a little.
Livin' just a little
Continuing to highlight the challenge of living partially.
Laughing just a little
Reiterating the difficulty in finding joy in limited experiences.
Ain't easy
Reemphasizing that it's not easy to live and laugh a little.
Livin' just a little
Once again expressing the challenge of living life partially.
Laughing just a little
Reiterating the difficulty in finding amusement in restricted experiences.
Ain't easy, uuuuuh huuuuh
Stressing that it's not easy to live and laugh a little.
Livin' just a little
Continuing to express the challenge of living life partially.
Laughing just a little
Reiterating the difficulty in finding joy in limited experiences.
Ain't easy
Once again emphasizing that it's not easy to live and laugh a little.
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