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Carnival

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Eminor

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                              Natalie Merchant - Carnival
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Capo 2
[Intro]
Em   D   C   Em
[Verse 1]
   EmWell, I've walked these streets, a virtual Dstage it seemed to me
CMake-up on their faces, actors took their places next to Emme
   EmWell, I've walked these streets in a carnivDal of sights to see
CAll the cheap thrill seekers, the vendors and the dealers, they cEmrowded around me
[Chorus]
  GHave I been blind
Have I been Dlost inside myself and my own mind
CHypnotized, mesmerized
By what my eyes have Emseen
[Verse 2]
   EmI've walked these streets in a spectacDle of wealth and poverty
 CIn the diamond market the scarlet welcome carpet that Emthey just rolled out for me
   EmAnd I've walked these streets in the mDadhouse asylum they can be
where a Cwild eyed misfit prophet on a traffic island stopped and he Emraved of saving me
[Chorus]
  GHave I been blind
Have I been Dlost inside myself and my own mind
CHypnotized, mesmerized
By what my eyes have Emseen
  GHave I been wrong
Have I been Dwise to shut my eyes and play along 
CHypnotized, paralyzed
By what my eyes have Emfound
By Cwhat my eyes have Dseen
What they've Emseen
[Instrumental]
(Em)     D     C  Em  
 Em   D   C   Em
[Chorus 2/Outro]
  GHave I been Dblind, have I been Clost
Have I been Gwrong, have I been Dwise, have I been Cstrong
Have I been?
GHypnotized, mesmerizedD  
By what my eyes have Cfound
In Emthat great Cstreet carniDval
  GHave I been Dblind, have I been Clost
Have I been Gwrong, have I been Dwise, have I been Cstrong
Have I been?
GHypnotized, mesmerizedD  
By what my eyes have Cfound
In Emthat great Cstreet carniDval
In that carniEmval

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"Carnival" captures the feeling of walking through a city that feels like a spectacle, a "virtual stage." Natalie Merchant wrote it after her first visit to New York City at 16, fascinated by the unique lives she observed after growing up in rural areas. The song explores the sense of being "lost inside myself and my own mind" amidst the urban "madhouse asylum." It was the lead single from her 1995 debut solo album, Tigerlily. The song invites you to step into that vibrant, overwhelming energy of a bustling street scene.

AI-written from these sources:Carnival (Natalie Merchant song) — Wikipedia ↗Natalie Merchant — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Carnival

Carnival

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Carnival

by Natalie Merchant

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

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Natalie Merchant - Carnival

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Capo 2

[Intro]

Em D C Em

[Verse 1]

Em D

Well, I've walked these streets, a virtual stage it seemed to me

C Em

Make-up on their faces, actors took their places next to me

Em D

Well, I've walked these streets in a carnival of sights to see

C Em

All the cheap thrill seekers, the vendors and the dealers, they crowded around me

[Chorus]

Have I been blind

Have I been lost inside myself and my own mind

Hypnotized, mesmerized

By what my eyes have seen

[Verse 2]

Em D

I've walked these streets in a spectacle of wealth and poverty

C Em

In the diamond market the scarlet welcome carpet that they just rolled out for me

Em D

And I've walked these streets in the madhouse asylum they can be

C Em

where a wild eyed misfit prophet on a traffic island stopped and he raved of saving me

[Chorus]

Have I been blind

Have I been lost inside myself and my own mind

Hypnotized, mesmerized

By what my eyes have seen

Have I been wrong

Have I been wise to shut my eyes and play along

Hypnotized, paralyzed

By what my eyes have found

C D

By what my eyes have seen

What they've seen

[Instrumental]

Em D C Em

()

Em D C Em

[Chorus 2/Outro]

G D C

Have I been blind, have I been lost

G D C

Have I been wrong, have I been wise, have I been strong

Have I been?

G D

Hypnotized, mesmerized

By what my eyes have found

Em C D

In that great street carnival

G D C

Have I been blind, have I been lost

G D C

Have I been wrong, have I been wise, have I been strong

Have I been?

G D

Hypnotized, mesmerized

By what my eyes have found

Em C D

In that great street carnival

In that carnival

About Carnival Chords by Natalie Merchant

Learn how to play Carnival by Natalie Merchant with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Carnival chords”, “Carnival guitar chords”, or “Natalie Merchant Carnival chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Carnival chords and for experienced players who want accurate Carnival lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, D, C, G.

FAQ — Carnival by Natalie Merchant

How do I play "Carnival" by Natalie Merchant on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Carnival" by Natalie Merchant on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Carnival" by Natalie Merchant free?

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Can I transpose "Carnival" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Carnival" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Carnival"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Carnival" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Carnival" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Carnival" by Natalie Merchant with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Natalie Merchant below.

What key is "Carnival" in?

The chords for "Carnival" show the original chord names (including Em, D, C, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.