I seen an old fighter tired and in trouble who just couldn't take anymore
Something inside him kept fightin' to finish with only his feet on the floor
Lord I know that it's worth any price you could pay to see truth in whatever disguise
But I'd've played double for one look of pleasure a piece of relief in his eyes
Ain't that clown laughin' like crazy ain't his eyes empty and deep
Don't he sound sad as a baby when she cries out in her sleep

We measured the space between Waylon and Willie and Willie and Waylon and me
But there wasn't nothin' like Billy Joe Shaver what Billy Joe Shaver should be
When he showed up sick later all bit by a spider and crazy to look in the eye
He put on a show that was sad as it should've been and nobody even knew why
Ain't that clown...