there s no business like show business like no business i know everything about it is appealing everything that traffic will allow nowhere could you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow there s no people like show people they smile when they are low even with a turkey that you know will fold you may be stranded out in the cold still you wouldn t change it for a sack of gold let s go on with the show the butcher the baker the grocer the clerk are secretly unhappy men because the butcher the baker the grocer the clerk get paid for what they do but no applause they d gladly bid their dreary jobs goodbye for anything theatrical and why there s no business like show business and i tell you it s so traveling through the country is so thrilling standing out in front on opening nights smiling as you watch the theater filling and there s your billing out there in lights there s no people like show people they smile when they are low angels come from everywhere with lots of jack and when you lose it there s no attack where could you get money that you don t give back let s go on with the show the cowboys the wrestlers the tumblers the clowns the roustabouts that move the show at dawn the music the spotlights the people the towns your baggage with the labels pasted on the sawdust and the horses and the smell the towel you ve taken from the last hotel the costumes the scenery the makeup the props the audience that lifts you when you re down the headaches the heartaches the backaches the flops the sheriff who escorts you out of town the opening when your heart beats like a drum the closing when the customers won t come you get word before the show has started that your favorite uncle died at dawn top of that your pa and ma have parted you re broken hearted but you go on  yesterday they told you you would not go far that night you open and there you are next day on your dressing room they ve hung a star let s go on with the show 