Capo 4

C5
When I was a young man, I ran away from home
  D5                      ( D5 riff)
I went to join the circus
                F5            G5
Went to see the cotton candy whirl
                    C5    C5    A5
And make me lots of money on my own
    C5       C5  A5
For Molly, oh my pretty Molly
          F5          C5
But she's waiting all alone
F5            C5      F5    G5   C5  C5
Someday soon I will return to her

C5
Then I made the big time, Bright lights show biz!
     D5                  ( D5 riff)         
I'm really in the circus!
             F5         G5
There's only one thing wrong;
                  C5     C5   A5
I haven't saved a penny on my own
    C5       C5  A5    
For Molly, oh my pretty Molly
          F5           C5
But she's writing every day
F5        C5         F5    G5 C5 C5
Molly understands so it's okay


(This section isn't entirely accurate to John Denver's version but it sounds fine)
C5
Ride a windy box car
                        E5
See a thousand children young and old
D5     
Oh that grease paint smile
    A5
Can hide your soul
C5
Here comes a carrousel

Guess which town it is
 E5
Feel the thrill!
D5
Grease paint covers everything
     F5
But winter's chill

C5  D5 F5 G5 C5 C5 A5 C5 C5 A5 F5 C5 F5 C5 C5

(Slowly)

     D5                   ( D5 riff)
I'm reading Molly's letter
           F5
The ink is fading
G5                       C5
And the page is turning yellow
C5   A5   C5              C5  A5
Long ago I promised Molly
               F5   C5
Don't you know I
F5               C5        F5  G5  C5   C5 C5
I will close my eyes and go to her


D5 Riff 
e------------- | 
B------------- | 
G------------- | 
D-0--3--2--0-- | 
A------------- | 
E------------- | 

 ~ Dan