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The Circle Game

Chords

4.7713 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

This is a beautiful song by Joni Mitchell that sounds great on acoustic. This is an 
easy tab with great lyrics and a very pretty tune. Have fun!
[Verse 1]
AYesterday a Dchild came out to AwonderE  
ACaught a dragonDfly inside a EjarD  E  
AFearful when the Dsky was full of C#mthunder
And tDearful at the fEalling of a Astar
[Chorus]
AAnd the seasons, they go 'Dround and 'Around
AAnd the painted ponies go Dup and Adown
We're cDaptive on a carousel of Atime
DWe can't return, we can only look C#mbehind from where we Dcame
DAnd go 'C#mround and 'round and 'Dround in the Ecircle Agame
[Verse 2]
AThen the child moved Dten times 'round the AseasonsE  
ASkated over Dten clear frozen EstreamsD  E  
AWords like, when you're oDlder, must apC#mpease him
And Dpromises of sEomeday make his dreAams
[Chorus]
AAnd the seasons, they go 'Dround and 'Around
AAnd the painted ponies go Dup and Adown
We're cDaptive on a carousel of Atime
DWe can't return, we can only look C#mbehind from where we Dcame
DAnd go 'C#mround and 'round and 'Dround in the Ecircle Agame
[Verse 3]
ASixteen springs and Dsixteen summers gonAe nowE  
ACartwheels turn to cDar wheels through the EtownD  E  
AAnd they tell him, take your Dtime it won't be C#mlong now
'Till you Ddrag your feet to sElow the circles dAown
[Chorus]
AAnd the seasons, they go 'Dround and 'Around
AAnd the painted ponies go Dup and Adown
We're cDaptive on a carousel of Atime
DWe can't return, we can only look C#mbehind from where we Dcame
DAnd go 'C#mround and 'round and 'Dround in the Ecircle Agame
[Verse 4]
ASo the years spin by aDnd now the boy Ais twenty
AThough his dreams have lost some gDrandeur coming Etrue
AThere'll be new dreams, maybe Dbetter dreams and C#mplenty
BefoDre the last revEolving year is thArough
[Outro]
AAnd the seasons, they go 'Dround and 'Around
AAnd the painted ponies go Dup and Adown
We're cDaptive on a carousel of Atime
DWe can't return, we can only look C#mbehind from where we Dcame
DAnd go 'C#mround and 'round and 'Dround in the Ecircle Agame
DAnd go 'C#mround and 'round and 'Dround in the Ecircle Agame

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

This song was written as a hopeful response to Neil Young's "Sugar Mountain," which lamented the end of teenage years. While Young's song suggested that you "can't be 20 on Sugar Mountain," this song offers a more optimistic view of aging. It suggests that even as dreams may lose some grandeur, new and perhaps better dreams will emerge as the years continue to spin by. The song captures the continuous cycle of life and growth, finding beauty and promise in each stage.

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

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

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

The Circle Game

by Joni Mitchell

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

This is a beautiful song by Joni Mitchell that sounds great on acoustic. This is an

easy tab with great lyrics and a very pretty tune. Have fun!

[Verse 1]

A D A E

Yesterday a child came out to wonder

A D E D E

Caught a dragonfly inside a jar

A D C#m

Fearful when the sky was full of thunder

D E A

And tearful at the falling of a star

[Chorus]

A D A

And the seasons, they go 'round and 'round

A D A

And the painted ponies go up and down

D A

We're captive on a carousel of time

D C#m D

We can't return, we can only look behind from where we came

D C#m D E A

And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game

[Verse 2]

A D A E

Then the child moved ten times 'round the seasons

A D E D E

Skated over ten clear frozen streams

A D C#m

Words like, when you're older, must appease him

D E A

And promises of someday make his dreams

[Chorus]

A D A

And the seasons, they go 'round and 'round

A D A

And the painted ponies go up and down

D A

We're captive on a carousel of time

D C#m D

We can't return, we can only look behind from where we came

D C#m D E A

And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game

[Verse 3]

A D A E

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now

A D E D E

Cartwheels turn to car wheels through the town

A D C#m

And they tell him, take your time it won't be long now

D E A

'Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down

[Chorus]

A D A

And the seasons, they go 'round and 'round

A D A

And the painted ponies go up and down

D A

We're captive on a carousel of time

D C#m D

We can't return, we can only look behind from where we came

D C#m D E A

And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game

[Verse 4]

A D A

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty

A D E

Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true

A D C#m

There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty

D E A

Before the last revolving year is through

[Outro]

A D A

And the seasons, they go 'round and 'round

A D A

And the painted ponies go up and down

D A

We're captive on a carousel of time

D C#m D

We can't return, we can only look behind from where we came

D C#m D E A

And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game

D C#m D E A

And go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game

About The Circle Game Chords by Joni Mitchell

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

FAQ — The Circle Game by Joni Mitchell

How do I play "The Circle Game" by Joni Mitchell on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Circle Game" 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 "The Circle Game" by Joni Mitchell free?

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

Can I transpose "The Circle Game" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Circle Game"?

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

Is "The Circle Game" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Circle Game" 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 "The Circle Game" in?

The chords for "The Circle Game" show the original chord names (including A, D, E, C#m). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.