The Comedians

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The Comedians – Roy Orbison (written by Elvis Costello)
Note: Strumming pattern is according to all live versions (which are perhaps better known)
and follows the snare in the studio version. In 12/8 time.
[INTRO]
C
[VERSE 1]
C G C
I sat there alone upon the ferris wheel
C F
A pastel coloured carriage in the air
Dm A7/C# Dm
I thought you'd leave me dangling for a little while
Dm Dm7/C G
A silly twist upon a childish dare
[VERSE 2]
C G C
Below I saw you whispering to another man
C F
Who held the lever that could bring me down
Dm A7/C# Dm
He'd stop the world from turning at your command
Dm Dm7/C G
It's always something cruel that laughter drowns
[CHORUS]
G C
And I'm up while the dawn is breaking
C7 F
Even though my heart is aching
F#dim7
I should be drinking a toast
G
To absent friends
G#dim7 C G
Instead of these comedians
Am E7 F C Bb F/A G C
[VERSE 3]
C G C
I can hardly hear the music from the carousel
C F
The wind picks up, the carriage starts to sway
Am E Am
As one by one the lights go out it's closing time
G G7 C
I see you take his hand and walk away, walk away
G Am E7 F C Bb F/A G C
[VERSE 4]
C G C
They say that you will always be the last to know
C F
They say that all that glitters is not gold
Am E7 Am
It's not just that you're never coming back to me
G
It's the bitter way that I was told
[CHORUS]
C F
And I'm up while the dawn is breaking
F7 Bb
Even though my heart is aching
Bdim7
I should be drinking a toast
C
To absent friends
C7 F
Instead of these comedians

The Comedians chords and lyrics

Free chords for The Comedians by Roy Orbison. Scroll the interactive sheet above or read the chord names inline below.

The Comedians – Roy Orbison (written by Elvis Costello)
Note: Strumming pattern is according to all live versions (which are perhaps better known)
and follows the snare in the studio version. In 12/8 time.
[INTRO]
C
[VERSE 1]
[VERSE 2]
[CHORUS]
 Am  E7  F  C  Bb  F/A  G  C
[VERSE 3]
G  Am  E7  F  C  Bb  F/A  G  C
[VERSE 4]
[CHORUS]

The Comedians Chords by Roy Orbison

Learn how to play The Comedians by Roy Orbison with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Comedians chords”, “The Comedians guitar chords”, or “Roy Orbison The Comedians 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 Comedians chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Comedians lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, F, A, Dm, A7/C#.

Frequently asked questions about The Comedians

How do I play "The Comedians" by Roy Orbison on guitar?

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Are the chords for "The Comedians" by Roy Orbison free?

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Can I transpose "The Comedians" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Comedians"?

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

Is "The Comedians" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Comedians" by Roy Orbison with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Roy Orbison below.

What key is "The Comedians" in?

The chords for "The Comedians" show the original chord names (including C, G, F, A, Dm, A7/C#). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.