[INSTRUMENTAL — organ swells over snaps, violins leaning in] [VERSE 1 — light touch over a heavy beat] Uncle June's repast, I had the whole fellowship hall Doing his dance, doing his voice, got the deacons off the wall Auntie Ree said "you just like him" with a shaky laugh I said thank you, then went and did his bit for the other half Every family needs a valve and I been it since nine Learned a joke lands better than a tear most of the time But somebody gotta pay the clown when the service ends Clown drives home in silence — radio off again [HOOK — aching chant, call and answer] Make 'em laugh (make 'em laugh), make 'em laugh (make 'em laugh) That's my job at every funeral, reunion, photograph Make 'em laugh (make 'em laugh), make 'em laugh (make 'em laugh) If they laughing they ain't asking how I'm doing — do the math [VERSE 2 — same touch, thinner smile] Same me at the weddings, same me at the wakes I read the room like braille and give it whatever it takes Tried the quiet once at home — sat still for ten whole minutes Then I called somebody funny just to fill it — yeah, I did it My ex used to say "be serious" — I'm serious as rain Every joke I ever told was a bandage on the pain So I'll keep the room laughing, that's the one thing I provide And when the house gets quiet, man, the jokes is where I hide [HOOK — aching chant, voices stacked] Make 'em laugh (make 'em laugh), make 'em laugh (make 'em laugh) That's my job at every funeral, reunion, photograph Make 'em laugh (make 'em laugh), make 'em laugh (make 'em laugh) If they laughing they ain't asking how I'm doing — do the math [BRIDGE — beat drops to organ and snaps, voice down, honest] I made my mama laugh today (today), that's the win (the win) Took her mind off June for three whole minutes with a grin I don't know how to grieve right (grieve right), this is what I know (I know) Funny's how I carry it — everywhere I go [OUTRO — quiet chant, organ alone, fading] Make 'em laugh (make 'em laugh) ... (radio off again)
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