Now playing

Sweeping The Spotlight Away

Chords

4.83 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Capo 2nd fret, 3/4 Time
[CHORDS]
    C- x32010
C/B  - x20010 (optional: mute 4th string)
  Am7- x02010
  C/G- 3x2010
    F- 133211
  F/G- 3x3211
   Am- x02210
   G7- 320001
[Intro]
|     C|  C/  C/B|    Am7|     C/G|
|     F|      F/G|      C|     C/G|
(x2)
[Verse 1]
Here's a Cplain simple song, without much to say
For Ctimes when plain circumFstance
CFinds me with someone C/Bwhose Amworld is all wrong
So they Ffeel like they don't have a G7chance
It's Calright to learn from the times you're a fool
But it Cdon't pay to dwell on the Fpast
CSometimes I think, C/BI'm Amreally a clown
But there's G7plenty of time left for that
[Chorus]
The sFun's goin' down on the midway tonight
The Cred stripes are turning to Amgrey
But old FEmmett's still out in the big top tonight
G7Sweeping the spotlight aCway
[Instrumental]
|     C|  C/  C/B|    Am7|     C/G|
|     F|      F/G|      C|     C/G|
[Verse 2]
Here's a Csong for the rain on the trash can lids
And the Cnights when there ain't much to dFo
Here's a Csong for the face
That C/Bit  Amsometimes seems
People Falways tell their troubles G7to
You Cmight see a trace of a greasepaint face
On Ceveryone comin' arFound
Don't you Calways laugh C/Bwith a Amtear in your eye
When you G7laugh at a sad-faced clown
[Chorus]
The sFun's goin' down on the midway tonight
The Cred stripes are turning to Amgrey
But old FEmmett's still out in the big top tonight
G7Sweeping the spotlight aCway
[Instrumental]
|     C|  C/  C/B|    Am7|     C/G|
|     F|      F/G|      C|     C/G|
(x2)
[Verse 3]
SomeCwhere there's a child that everyone hides
A Cprisoner that longs to be frFee
CBoys and girls C/Bin a Amfantasy world
But I Fguess I'm just talkin' for mG7e
But I Cfeel him there, behind me somewhere
When the Cstreetlights reflect in the rFain
The Csad-faced clown with C/Bhis Ammouth turned down
G7Sweeping the spotlight away
[Chorus]
The sFun's goin' down on the midway tonight
The Cred stripes are turning to Amgrey
But old FEmmett's still out in the big top tonight
G7Sweeping the spotlight aCway
[Outro]
|     C|  C/  C/B|    Am7|     C/G|
|     F|      F/G|      C|

All chords in this song (8)

🎸 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

Sweeping The Spotlight Away

by Murray McLauchlan

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

Chords in this song · guitar

Am7

C/G

F/G

C/B

Capo 2nd fret, 3/4 Time

[CHORDS]

- x32010

C/B - x20010 (optional: mute 4th string)

Am7

- x02010

C/G

- 3x2010

- 133211

F/G

- 3x3211

- x02210

- 320001

[Intro]

C C C/B Am7 C/G

| | / | | |

F F/G C C/G

| | | | |

(x2)

[Verse 1]

Here's a plain simple song, without much to say

C F

For times when plain circumstance

C C/B Am

Finds me with someone whose world is all wrong

F G7

So they feel like they don't have a chance

It's alright to learn from the times you're a fool

C F

But it don't pay to dwell on the past

C C/B Am

Sometimes I think, I'm really a clown

But there's plenty of time left for that

[Chorus]

The sun's goin' down on the midway tonight

C Am

The red stripes are turning to grey

But old Emmett's still out in the big top tonight

G7 C

Sweeping the spotlight away

[Instrumental]

C C C/B Am7 C/G

| | / | | |

F F/G C C/G

| | | | |

[Verse 2]

Here's a song for the rain on the trash can lids

C F

And the nights when there ain't much to do

Here's a song for the face

C/B Am

That it sometimes seems

F G7

People always tell their troubles to

You might see a trace of a greasepaint face

C F

On everyone comin' around

C C/B Am

Don't you always laugh with a tear in your eye

When you laugh at a sad-faced clown

[Chorus]

The sun's goin' down on the midway tonight

C Am

The red stripes are turning to grey

But old Emmett's still out in the big top tonight

G7 C

Sweeping the spotlight away

[Instrumental]

C C C/B Am7 C/G

| | / | | |

F F/G C C/G

| | | | |

(x2)

[Verse 3]

Somewhere there's a child that everyone hides

C F

A prisoner that longs to be free

C C/B Am

Boys and girls in a fantasy world

F G7

But I guess I'm just talkin' for me

But I feel him there, behind me somewhere

C F

When the streetlights reflect in the rain

C C/B Am

The sad-faced clown with his mouth turned down

Sweeping the spotlight away

[Chorus]

The sun's goin' down on the midway tonight

C Am

The red stripes are turning to grey

But old Emmett's still out in the big top tonight

G7 C

Sweeping the spotlight away

[Outro]

C C C/B Am7 C/G

| | / | | |

F F/G C

| | | |

About Sweeping The Spotlight Away Chords by Murray McLauchlan

Learn how to play Sweeping The Spotlight Away by Murray McLauchlan with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Sweeping The Spotlight Away chords”, “Sweeping The Spotlight Away guitar chords”, or “Murray McLauchlan Sweeping The Spotlight Away 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 Sweeping The Spotlight Away chords and for experienced players who want accurate Sweeping The Spotlight Away lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, C/B, Am7, C/G, F, F/G.

FAQ — Sweeping The Spotlight Away by Murray McLauchlan

How do I play "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" by Murray McLauchlan on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" by Murray McLauchlan 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 "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" by Murray McLauchlan free?

Yes. The chords for "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" by Murray McLauchlan are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Sweeping The Spotlight Away"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" by Murray McLauchlan with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Murray McLauchlan below.

What key is "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" in?

The chords for "Sweeping The Spotlight Away" show the original chord names (including C, C/B, Am7, C/G, F, F/G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.