What is the meaning of the song 'Send in the Clowns'?

Question

Have never seen the musical. From what i understand it's meant to be sung by an older woman...?

Answer 1

In the Stephen Sondheim musical "A Little Night Music" Desiree reflects on the ironies and disappointments in her love life.

The Chorus "Send In The Clowns" refers to the old circus practice of sending the clowns into the ring to distract from a disaster.

So she is basically looking for something to distract from her life.

Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.

Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move.
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.

Just when I'd stopped opening doors,
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours,
Making my entrance again with my usual flair,
Sure of my lines,
No one is there.

Don't you love farce?
My fault I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want.
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother, they're here.

Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer,
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
And where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Well, maybe next year.

Answer 2

It's a song from the 1973 musical "A Little Night Music."
It's a slow,mournful ballad in which the character Desiree reflects on her disappointments in life.
It's a phrase reputedly used in a circus when an unforeseen disaster had occurred and the clowns were sent in to distract the audience.Alternatively the title could refer to the practice in vaudeville theatre of sending the clowns on to the stage to distract the audience after a particularly bad act,or to the practice of sending in clowns at a rodeo in order to divert danger from a fallen rodeo cowboy.
It's a beautiful song and was a hit for Judy Collins.

Answer 3

Send In The Clowns Lyrics

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the meaning of the song 'Send in the Clowns'?
Have never seen the musical. From what i understand it's meant to be sung by an older woman...?

Answer 5

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/cU0pa

It's about a pair of potential lovers who just can't seem to connect and "get it right". I think "send in the clowns" is used ironically, as in "so sad it's funny"--or would be funny if it weren't so sad. It also makes me think about the use of clowns to cover up something that goes wrong--then you bring on the clowns to distract the audience--or rodeo clowns who come in to avert disaster and also provide a distraction. Isn't the last line "Send in the clowns...don't bother, they're here"?--meaning that the singer and her would-be lover ought to be the hero and heroine, but instead they're only the comic relief.

Answer 6

Bring In The Clowns

Answer 7

When circus's had wild animals and cannons to shoot people from, there were, understandably, lots of disasters. at this point the ringmaster would " send in the clowns" in order to distract the audience while the injured party was removed from the ring.

Answer 8

When the circus is drawing to an end and everyone is sad because of this fact... they send in the clowns at the end to cheer everyone up and go out with a bang!
Bascially it means that something is over so you might as well finish it off by... sending in the clowns!

Answer 9

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~
Clowns were utilized in a circus for entertainment. Circuses also had a custom of sending in Bozo & Company to draw attention away from an accident, and for a happy finish to the show. 'Send in the clowns' now refers to asking for help in making one feel better...or just to state that there is a great sadness. ♪♫
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~

Answer 10

1