Where have the funny men gone?

Where have the funny men gone?

When did the funny men turn into monsters
When did Clowns go to the bad?
Has the lovely old Coco the Clown of my youth
Been replaced by an image so sad.

They once bumbled around the big circus ring
They had everyone laughing to tears
Now they’re on the big screen as terrible beasts
Building up little folks fears.

Each year they’re ubiquitous at Halloween
They’re not scary, they just make me sad,
For those happy old, silly old, bumbling old fools
Who only wanted us happy and glad.