City of Laughter, City of Tears (Roud 12905)

City of laughter with lights aglow;
You live for pleasure alone, I know.
You'll play with life like a child with its toys,
But 'neath all its pleasure and joys -
City of laughter, city of tears,
What are the secrets you hold?
What are the sorrows behind the joys,
The pain 'neath the glitter of gold?
Faces are beaming, happy and bright,
But midst all the pleasure that cheers,
There are hearts that seem light,
That are aching tonight
In the city of laughter and tears.

City of laughter, no one can see,
You hold for pleasure life's golden key.
Bright lights may gleam for a while, 'tis true,
But when all this pleasure is through -
City of laughter, city of tears,
What are the secrets you hold?
What are the sorrows beneath the joys,
The pain 'neath the glitter of gold?
Faces are beaming, happy and bright,
But midst all the pleasure that cheers,
There are hearts that seem light,
That are aching tonight
In the city of laughter and tears.

from

https://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/b_hart.htm