Now playing

Carol

Chords

4.415 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]  
 Em//  G   D   Em//  G  D  
[Verse]
GSometimes it B7seems unimagiEmnable
That you were Amever any other wayB7  
With your wAmhite rose face and your orEmphan clothes,
EmbAmroidered jeans and silver B7chains
You're a Gwell known B7face in all the Emhang-out places
Where the Amlost souls congregB7ate
And you Amsit all night, but you Emtalk too fast
And I Amdon't know what you're tAm/Crying to saB7y.
[Chorus]
Oh EmCarol, DI Cthink it's time for running for Emcover, Duh Chunh
BeEmlieve me, Dyou're eCveryone's and nobody's Emlover, Duh Chunh
You've got a Amone-way ticket for B7all your yesterEmdays.
[Verse]
GI know your B7daddy said he'd Emtalk to you
But he Amnever really found the B7time
And your Amtv mother with her Emcocktail eyes
Could Amnever really reach your B7mind
So you Gfixed your B7star to a Empassing dream
And took a Amcocaine holidaB7y
Now the Amyears flow round you in a Emmuddy stream
And you Amneed another place to B7stay.
[Chorus]
Oh EmCarol, DI tChink it's time for running for coEmver, uh DhuCnh
BeEmlieve me, Dyou're Ceveryone's and nobody's Emlover, Duh Chunh
You've got a Amone-way ticket for B7all your yesterEmdays.
[Verse]
GReach down, silverDy ship from the stars, EmI know you're Athere,
I kGnow you'll undeDrstand me, you can tEmake me anywAhere,
GI know you must be Athere...
[Solo]
 G/  D/  Em//  Bm/  Am/
 Em//  G   D   Em//  G  D  
[Bridge]
GSometimes it sB7eems imEmpossible
That the Amgame could get that B7rough
But the Amstage is set, the Emexit's barred
And the Ammake-up won't come B7off
So you Gmake your B7bow to the Embalcony,
You Amlight another cigarB7ette
and the Amlights grow dim as the Emmusic starts
And it's Ameasy tAm/Co forgeB7t.
[Chorus]
Oh EmCarol, DI Cthink it's time for running for Emcover, Duh Chunh
BelEmieve me, youD're Ceveryone's and nobody's Emlover, Duh Chunh
You've got a Amone-way ticket for B7all your yesterEmdays.
GReach down, Dsilvery ship from the sEmtars, I know you're Athere,
I kGnow yDou'll understand me, you can Emtake me anyAwhere,
I kGnow you must be thAere...
[Outro]
 G//  D//  Em//  Bm//  Am//  Em// (repeats and fades)

All chords in this song (9)

The story behind the song

"Carol" seems to capture that feeling of being lost in a relationship, when communication breaks down and one person's path feels unclear to the other. It paints a picture of someone who has perhaps attached their hopes to "a passing dream," leaving their partner to wonder about their intentions. This song, from the same artist known for his historical folk-rock style, feels like a more intimate, personal story. It's a poignant reflection on the moments when understanding feels "unimaginable" between two people.

AI-written from these sources:Al Stewart — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

Carol

Carol

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Carol

by Al Stewart

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Am/C

[Intro]

Em G D Em G D

// //

[Verse]

G B7 Em

Sometimes it seems unimaginable

Am B7

That you were ever any other way

Am Em

With your white rose face and your orphan clothes,

Am B7

Embroidered jeans and silver chains

G B7 Em

You're a well known face in all the hang-out places

Am B7

Where the lost souls congregate

Am Em

And you sit all night, but you talk too fast

Am Am/C B7

And I don't know what you're trying to say.

[Chorus]

Em D C Em D C

Oh Carol, I think it's time for running for cover, uh hunh

Em D C Em D C

Believe me, you're everyone's and nobody's lover, uh hunh

Am B7 Em

You've got a one-way ticket for all your yesterdays.

[Verse]

G B7 Em

I know your daddy said he'd talk to you

Am B7

But he never really found the time

Am Em

And your tv mother with her cocktail eyes

Am B7

Could never really reach your mind

G B7 Em

So you fixed your star to a passing dream

Am B7

And took a cocaine holiday

Am Em

Now the years flow round you in a muddy stream

Am B7

And you need another place to stay.

[Chorus]

Em D C Em D C

Oh Carol, I think it's time for running for cover, uh hunh

Em D C Em D C

Believe me, you're everyone's and nobody's lover, uh hunh

Am B7 Em

You've got a one-way ticket for all your yesterdays.

[Verse]

G D Em A

Reach down, silvery ship from the stars, I know you're there,

G D Em A

I know you'll understand me, you can take me anywhere,

G A

I know you must be there...

[Solo]

G D Em Bm Am

/ / // / /

Em G D Em G D

// //

[Bridge]

G B7 Em

Sometimes it seems impossible

Am B7

That the game could get that rough

Am Em

But the stage is set, the exit's barred

Am B7

And the make-up won't come off

G B7 Em

So you make your bow to the balcony,

Am B7

You light another cigarette

Am Em

and the lights grow dim as the music starts

Am Am/C B7

And it's easy to forget.

[Chorus]

Em D C Em D C

Oh Carol, I think it's time for running for cover, uh hunh

Em D C Em D C

Believe me, you're everyone's and nobody's lover, uh hunh

Am B7 Em

You've got a one-way ticket for all your yesterdays.

G D Em A

Reach down, silvery ship from the stars, I know you're there,

G D Em A

I know you'll understand me, you can take me anywhere,

G A

I know you must be there...

[Outro]

G D Em Bm Am Em

// // // // // // (repeats and fades)

About Carol Chords by Al Stewart

Learn how to play Carol by Al Stewart with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Carol chords”, “Carol guitar chords”, or “Al Stewart Carol 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 Carol chords and for experienced players who want accurate Carol lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, G, D, B7, Am, Am/C.

FAQ — Carol by Al Stewart

How do I play "Carol" by Al Stewart on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Carol" by Al Stewart 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 "Carol" by Al Stewart free?

Yes. The chords for "Carol" by Al Stewart are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Carol" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Carol"?

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

Is "Carol" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Carol" in?

The chords for "Carol" show the original chord names (including Em, G, D, B7, Am, Am/C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.