Joni Mitchell - The Circle Game Chords
Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.
Guitar A chord diagram
Guitar D chord diagram
Guitar E7 chord diagram
Guitar F#m | G♭m chord diagram
[Opening]
[A]Yesterday a [D]child came out to [A]wonder
[A]Caught a dragon [D]fly inside a [E7]jar
[A]Fearful when the [D]sky was full of [F#m]thunder
And [D]tearful at the [A]falling [E7]of a [A]star
[chorus]
[A]And the seasons, they go [E7]around and [A]around
[A]And the painted ponies go [E7]up and [A]down
We’re [D]captured on a carousel of [A]time
[D]We can’t return, we can only look be[F#m]hind from where we [D]came
[D]And go [F#m]around and around and [D]around in the [E7]circle [A]game
[verse 2]
[A]Then the child moved [D]ten times around the [A]seasons
[A]Skated over [D]ten clear frozen [E7]streams
[A]Words like, when you’re [D]older, must [F#m]appease him
And [D]promises of [A]someday [E7]make his [A]dreams
[chorus]
[A]And the seasons, they go [E7]around and [A]around
[A]And the painted ponies go [E7]up and [A]down
We’re [D]captured on a carousel of [A]time
[D]We can’t return, we can only look be[F#m]hind from where we [D]came
[D]And go [F#m]around and around and [D]around in the [E7]circle [A]game
[verse 3]
[A]Sixteen springs and [D]sixteen summers gone [A]now
[A]Cartwheels turn to [D]car wheels through the [E7]town
[A]And they tell him, take your [D]time it won’t be [F#m]long now
Till you [D]drag your feet to [A]slow the [E7]circles [A]down
[chorus]
[A]And the seasons, they go [E7]around and [A]around
[A]And the painted ponies go [E7]up and [A]down
We’re [D]captured on a carousel of [A]time
[D]We can’t return, we can only look be[F#m]hind from where we [D]came
[D]And go [F#m]around and around and [D]around in the [E7]circle [A]game
[Closing]
[A]So the years spin by and [D]now the boy is [A]twenty
[A]Though his dreams have lost some [D]grandeur coming [E7]true
[A]There’ll be new dreams, maybe [D]better dreams and [F#m]plenty
Be[D]fore the last re[A]volving [E7]year is [A]through
[chorus]
[A]And the seasons, they go [E7]around and [A]around
[A]And the painted ponies go [E7]up and [A]down
We’re [D]captured on a carousel of [A]time
[D]We can’t return, we can only look be[F#m]hind from where we [D]came
[D]And go [F#m]around and around and [D]around in the [E7]circle [A]game
[D]And go [F#m]around and around and [D]around in the [E7]circle [A]game
How to play The Circle Game on Guitar (Step-by-step)
Joni Mitchell - The Circle Game on guitar requires 4 chords and 4 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.
The Circle Game uses these transitions most often: A → D (21), E7 → A (21), and D → F#m (13). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with A - D chord transition.
1. A → D chord transition
To move from A to D;
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 2 to fret 3.
2. D → E7 chord transition
To move from D to E7;
- While playing D, lift your ring finger from B string fret 3.
- Slide your index finger on G string from fret 2 to fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from E string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
3. E7 → A chord transition
To move from E7 to A;
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 1 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Place ring finger on B string fret 2.
4. D → F#m chord transition
To move from D to F#m;
- While playing D, lift your middle finger from E string fret 2.
- Lift your index finger from G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from B string fret 3 to A string fret 4.
- Place pinky on D string fret 4.
The Circle Game chord transition analysis
A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in The Circle Game.
- The Circle Game includes 101 chord transitions, 4 of them unique.
- These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
- The Circle Game contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
- These transition patterns show how The Circle Game connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.After A, the most likely next chords across Chordier are D (29%), G (13%), and E (12%).
- A → D: 29%
- A → E7: 4%
After D, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (29%), A (17%), and Em (17%).- D → A: 17%
- D → F#m: 2%