From “The Gold Diggers of Broadway”, 1929
Words by Al Dubin
Music by Joe Burke
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- This life’s a play from the start
It’s hard to play through a part
When there’s an ache in your heart all day
I have my dreams ’til the dawn
I wake to find they are gone
But still the play “must go on” they say
Refrain
When I pretend I’m gay
I never feel that way
I’m only painting the clouds with sunshine
When I hold back a tear
To make a smile appear
I’m only painting the clouds with sunshine
Painting the blue, beautiful hues,
Colored with gold and old rose
Playing the clown,
Trying to drown all of my woes
Though things may not look bright
They all turn out alright
If I keep painting the clouds with sunshine
- Each cloud you have on your mind
You’ll find can be silver-lined
If you’ll just make up your mind to smile
Tho’ I may fret, I’ll admit
You’ll hear me laugh quite a bit
If only for just a little while
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: