Key: C
Introduction:
C
When I was a young man, I ran away from home
Dm
I went to join the circus
F G
Went to see the cotton candy whirl
C C/B Am
And make me lots of money on my own
C C/B Am
For Molly, oh my pretty Molly
F C
But she's waiting all alone
F C F G C C7M
Someday soon I will return to her
C
Then I made the big time, Bright lights show biz!
Dm
I'm really in the circus!
F G
There's only one thing wrong
C C/B Am
I haven't saved a penny on my own
C C/B Am
For Molly, oh my pretty Molly
F C
But she's writing every day
F C F G C C7M
Molly understands so it's okay
(This section isn't entirely accurate to John Denver's version but it sounds fine)
Cm
Ride a windy box car
Em
See a thousand children young and old
Dm
Oh that grease paint smile
Am
Can hide your soul
Cm
Here comes a carrousel
Guess which town it is
Em
Feel the thrill!
Dm
Grease paint covers everything
F
But winter's chill
C Dm F G C C/B Am C C/B Am F C F C C7M)
(Slowly)
Dm
I'm reading Molly's letter
F
The ink is fading
G C
And the page is turning yellow
C/B Am C C/B Am
Long ago I promised Molly
F C
Don't you know I
F C F G C C7M C
I will close my eyes and go to her