<P> The lyrics of the song are written in four verses and a bridge and sung by Desirée . As Sondheim explains, Desirée experiences both deep regret and furious anger: </P> <P> "Send in the Clowns" was never meant to be a soaring ballad; it's a song of regret . And it's a song of a lady who is too upset and too angry to speak--meaning to sing for a very long time . She is furious, but she doesn't want to make a scene in front of Fredrik because she recognizes that his obsession with his 18 - year - old wife is unbreakable . So she gives up; so it's a song of regret and anger, and therefore fits in with short - breathed phrases . </P> <P> The song was originally performed in the key of D flat major . </P> <P> The song uses an unusual and complex meter, which alternates between 12 / 8 and 9 / 8 . These are two complex compound meters that evoke the sense of a waltz used throughout the score of the show . Sondheim tells the story: </P>

Send in the clowns lyrics what do they mean