All the world is a stage and I'm the Clown

Looking into the mirror, an empty canvas I see,
I must paint the mask that will hide me.
I apply, clown white, to fill in my face,
Without the make-up, there would be a blank space.
Next I take blue, to fill in my eyes,
The paint conceals unshed tears my heart cries.
Then I take red, to paint on a bogus smile,
I must look happy, it must stretch a mile.
Mama said," Smile and the world smiles with Ya, Cry and Ya cry alone!"
" Best play like you're happy or you're on your own!"
" You aint nothing, Girl, but at least Ya can be pleasin!"
" People don't cotten to Ya, you don't give them no reason!"
So now I stand before the world, a painted little clown,
So world, laugh with me, before my tears tumble down!