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Carey

Chords

4.589 votes

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Font15

KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/10

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 10Position: 7

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

[Verse 1]
The Dwind is in from Africa
ALast night I couldn't sleep
Oh, you know it Gsure is hard to leaDve here, Carey
but it's really Anot my home
DMy fingernails are filthy
I've got Abeach tar on my feet
and I mGiss my clean white Dlinen
and my fancy AFrench cologne
[Chorus]
AOh Carey, get out your cDane
I'll put on some Asilver
GOh, you're a mean old Ddaddy
but AI like yDou
  (strum down)
e|-7-7---5---3---2------|
B|-8-8---7---5---3------|
G|-7-7---6---4---2------|
D|-0-0---0---0---0------|
A|----------------------|
E|----------------------|
[Verse 2]
DCome on down to the Mermaid Café
Aand I will buy you a bottle of wine
and we'll Glaugh and toast to noDthing
and, smasAh our empty glasses down
DLet's have a round for these freaks and these soldiers
AA round for these friends of mine
Let's havGe another round for thDe bright red devil
who keeps Ame in this tourist town
[Chorus]
AOh Carey, get out your cDane
I'll put on some Asilver
GOh, you're a mean old Ddaddy
but AI like yDou, I like you, I like you
[Verse 3]
DMaybe I'll go to Amsterdam
Aor maybe I'll go to Rome
and rent Gme a grand piano andD  
put some Aflowers round my room
DBut let's not talk about fare-thee-wells now
AThe night is a starry dome
and they'Gre playing that scratcDhy rock and roll
beneath tAhe Matala moon
[Chorus]
AOh Carey, get out your cDane
I'll put on some Asilver
GOh, you're a mean old Ddaddy
but AI like yDou
[Verse 4]
The Dwind is in from Africa
ALast night I couldn't sleep
Oh, you know it Gsure is hard to leaDve here
But, it's really not Amy home
DMaybe it's been too long a time
Since I was Ascramblin' down in the street
Now they got me Gused to that clean white Dlinen
And that fancy AFrench cologne
[Chorus]
AOh Carey, get out your Dcane
I'll put on my fiAnest silver
GWe'll go to the MermaiDd Café
HavAe fun tonDight
I said, oh, Gyou're a mean old dadDdy,
but Ayou're oDut of sight
End with
e|-7-7---5---3---2------|
B|-8-8---7---5---3------|
G|-7-7---6---4---2------|
D|-0-0---0---0---0------|
A|----------------------|
E|----------------------|

All chords in this song (3)

The story behind the song

This song from Joni Mitchell's 1971 album Blue was inspired by her adventures in Greece. Following the end of a relationship, Mitchell traveled to Crete, where she met Cary Raditz, a cook at the Mermaid Café, and spent time with a cave-dwelling hippie community in Matala. The lyrics capture the free-spirited, al fresco lifestyle and the connection she found there. It plays like a vivid postcard from a moment of personal escape and new encounters.

AI-written from these sources:Carey (song) — Wikipedia ↗Joni Mitchell — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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

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Carey

by Joni Mitchell

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

The wind is in from Africa

Last night I couldn't sleep

G D

Oh, you know it sure is hard to leave here, Carey

but it's really not my home

My fingernails are filthy

I've got beach tar on my feet

G D

and I miss my clean white linen

and my fancy French cologne

[Chorus]

A D

Oh Carey, get out your cane

I'll put on some silver

G D

Oh, you're a mean old daddy

A D

but I like you

(strum down)

e|-7-7---5---3---2------|

B|-8-8---7---5---3------|

G|-7-7---6---4---2------|

D|-0-0---0---0---0------|

A|----------------------|

E|----------------------|

[Verse 2]

Come on down to the Mermaid Café

and I will buy you a bottle of wine

G D

and we'll laugh and toast to nothing

and, smash our empty glasses down

Let's have a round for these freaks and these soldiers

A round for these friends of mine

G D

Let's have another round for the bright red devil

who keeps me in this tourist town

[Chorus]

A D

Oh Carey, get out your cane

I'll put on some silver

G D

Oh, you're a mean old daddy

A D

but I like you, I like you, I like you

[Verse 3]

Maybe I'll go to Amsterdam

or maybe I'll go to Rome

G D

and rent me a grand piano and

put some flowers round my room

But let's not talk about fare-thee-wells now

The night is a starry dome

G D

and they're playing that scratchy rock and roll

beneath the Matala moon

[Chorus]

A D

Oh Carey, get out your cane

I'll put on some silver

G D

Oh, you're a mean old daddy

A D

but I like you

[Verse 4]

The wind is in from Africa

Last night I couldn't sleep

G D

Oh, you know it sure is hard to leave here

But, it's really not my home

Maybe it's been too long a time

Since I was scramblin' down in the street

G D

Now they got me used to that clean white linen

And that fancy French cologne

[Chorus]

A D

Oh Carey, get out your cane

I'll put on my finest silver

G D

We'll go to the Mermaid Café

A D

Have fun tonight

G D

I said, oh, you're a mean old daddy,

A D

but you're out of sight

End with

e|-7-7---5---3---2------|

B|-8-8---7---5---3------|

G|-7-7---6---4---2------|

D|-0-0---0---0---0------|

A|----------------------|

E|----------------------|

About Carey Chords by Joni Mitchell

Learn how to play Carey by Joni Mitchell with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Carey chords”, “Carey guitar chords”, or “Joni Mitchell Carey 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 Carey chords and for experienced players who want accurate Carey lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, A, G, B, E.

FAQ — Carey by Joni Mitchell

How do I play "Carey" by Joni Mitchell on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Carey" by Joni Mitchell 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 "Carey" by Joni Mitchell free?

Yes. The chords for "Carey" by Joni Mitchell are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Carey" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Carey"?

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

Is "Carey" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Carey" in?

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