A showman's life is a smoky bar
and the fevered chase of a tiny star
it's a hotel room and a lonely wife
from what I've seen of a showman's life

*Chorus*
Nobody told me about this part
they told me all about the pretty girls and the wine
and the money and the good times
there's no mention of
all the wear and tear on an old honkytonker's heart
well I might have known it but nobody told me about this part

A boy will dream
as children do
of a great white way
'til the dream comes true
and a phony smile and a colored light
is all there is
to a showman's life

*Repeat chorus twice*

Well I might have known it but nobody told me about this part