G                                                       D7
Well they paved the road to Hollywood with promises and lies
                                                            G
And the men has been to once look good and girls with empty eyes
                                           G7             C
With rhinestone cowboys and wooden Indians everywhere you turn
     D7
Well I could write a book on the roads I took
                       G
And the lessons that I learned

[Chorus]
 C
I'd rather be a rodeo clown
                                                       G
Than a burnt out rhinestone cowboy in a two bit tinsel town
                                              D7
I'd rather help somebody up than put somebody down
                      G
I'd rather be a rodeo clown

[Verse 2]
                                             D7
It was nineteen sixty-six when I finally hit A 
                                                                    G
I was living on dreams and swizzle sticks and kinda stumbling on my way
                                                     G7                C
But the good Lord looks after fools and drunks and I finally found the sun
    D7                                              G
But I had only won the battle Lord the war had just begun

[Chorus]
                      C
I'd rather be a rodeo clown
                                                       G
Than a burnt out rhinestone cowboy in a two bit tinsel town
                                                        D7
I'd rather pick somebody up than kick 'em while they're down
                           G
Lord I'd rather be a rodeo clown

[Verse 3]
                                                         D7
Well I like to see you when you laugh but I love when we cry
                                                             G
I will tear your IOU's in half if you'll just look me in the eye
                                         G7                C
Cause truth and love and loyalty are the only things worth while
    D7                                                      G
And I'd trade this whole damn town away for just one honest smile

[Chorus]
                      C
I'd rather be a rodeo clown
                                                       G
Than a burnt out rhinestone cowboy in a two bit tinsel town
                                                  D7
I'd rather make somebody laugh than make somebody frown
                           G
Lord I'd rather be a rodeo clown

                                              D7
I'd rather help somebody up than put somebody down
                            G
What I'd give to be a rodeo clown