(Verse)
[COSTARD]
The butcher, the baker
The grocer, the clerk
Are secretly unhappy men because
The butcher, the baker
The grocer, the clerk
Get paid for what they do, but no applause
They'd gladly bid their dreary jobs goodbye
For anything theatrical, and why?

(Chorus)
[COSTARD]
There's no business
Like show business
Like no business
I know

Everything about it is appealing
Everything the traffic will allow
Nowhere could you get that happy feeling
When you are stealing
That extra bow

[ENSEMBLE]
There's no people
Like show people
They smile when they are low

Even with the turkey that you know will fold
You may be stranded out in the cold
Still, you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold
Let's go on with the show!
Let's go on with the show!

There's no business
Like show business
Like no business
I know

Everything about it is appealing
Everything the traffic will allow
Nowhere could you get that happy feeling
When you are stealing
That extra bow

There's no people
Like show people
They smile when they are low

Even with the turkey that you know will fold
You may be stranded out in the cold
Still, you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold
Let's go on with the show!
Let's go on with the show!

(Chorus 2)
[ENSEMBLE]
There's no business
Like show business
If you tell me it's so

[COSTARD]
You found out before the show has started
That your favorite uncle died at dawn
On top of that, your ma and pa have parted
(No! Mama, papa! Mama, papa!)
You're broken-hearted
But you go on

[ENSEMBLE]
There's no people
Like show people
They smile when they are low

Yesterday they told you you would not go far
That night you open and there you are
Next day on your dressing room they've hung a star
Let's go on with the show!
Let's go on with the show!