Tonight I gave the greatest performance of my life
I never lost control,
I played the part so well
That not a single soul could tell that I was lying

And so though it was hard to face our friends
I gave a party
I know I meant to show them all
I've gotten over you
And though I saw the unbelieving looks on all their faces
I had to try to make them think that it was true

So I who hardly dance,
danced through the night,
just like a gypsy
And I who seldom drink,
drank like a fish till I was high
And I who hadn't laughed since God knows when,
out laughed Pagliacci
Till they believed it more than even I

Tonight I gave the greatest performance of my life
I never lost control,
I played the part so well
That not a single soul could tell that I was lying

But love if you had been behind the curtain when it fell
When all the lights were out and I was all alone
You would have seen this actress crying

Yes, tonight I gave the greatest performance of my life
I never lost control,
I played the part so well
That not a single soul could tell that I was lying

But love if you had been behind the curtain when it fell
When all the lights were out and I was all alone
You would have seen this actress crying