Send In The Clowns

by Stephen Sondheim
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Lyrics

(F)Is n’t it (C)rich?

(F)Are we a (C)pair?

Me here at (Cmaj7)last on the ground,

you in mid (F)air...

Send in the (C)clowns.

(F)Is n’t it (C)bliss?

(F)Don’t you ap (C)prove?

(F)One who keeps (Cmaj7)tear ing a round,

one who can’t (F)move...

Where are the (C)clowns?

(F)Send in the (C)clowns.

(G)Just when I (Em)stopped

(Bm)o pen ing (Em)doors,

(Bm)fi nal ly (Em)know ing the one that I want ed was (Am)yours.

(E)Mak ing my (Am7)en trance a (D)gain with my (Dm)u su al (Esus)flair,

(Fm)sure of my (Em)lines,

no one is (C)there.

(F)Don’t you love (C)farce?

(F)My fault, I (C)fear.

I thought that (Cmaj7)you’d want what I want.

Sor ry, my (F)dear.

But where are the (C)clowns?

There (F)ought to be (C)clowns.

Quick, (F)send in the (C)clowns.

What a sur (Em)prise!

(Bm)Who could fore (Em)see

(Bm)I’d come to (Em)feel a bout you what you felt a bout (Am)me?

(E)Why on ly (Am7)now when I (D)see that you’ve (Dm)drift ed a (Esus)way?

(Fm)What a sur (Em)prise...

What a cli (C)ché...

(F)Is n’t it (C)rich,

(F)is n’t it (C)queer,

los ing my (Cmaj7)tim ing this late want.

in my ca (F)reer?

And where are the (C)clowns?

Quick, (F)send in the (C)clowns.

Don’t (F)both er, they’re (C)clowns.

What a sur (C)here.

Send In The Clowns — Karaoke: Lyrics & Chords to Sing & Play Along

19 people have learned this song

Free karaoke for "Send In The Clowns" by Stephen Sondheim: lyrics on screen with the chords above each line and a bouncing ball that lands on every word in time. Sing along, or play along on guitar or piano from the chord chart. Change the key to fit your voice, slow the tempo down. Key of C, 69 BPM.

Tip: Break this song into sections and master each one separately. The speed control lets you drill difficult passages at any tempo.

About “Send In The Clowns”

What key is "Send In The Clowns" by Stephen Sondheim played in?
Send In The Clowns is arranged in the key of C on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Send In The Clowns"?
The arrangement plays at 69 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Send In The Clowns" easy to play on piano?
This is an advanced arrangement. We recommend breaking it into sections and using the speed control to drill harder passages.
Can I download sheet music for "Send In The Clowns"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Send In The Clowns"?
"Send In The Clowns" was originally performed by Stephen Sondheim. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What other songs by Stephen Sondheim can I play here?
Try "LOSING MY MIND", "Agony (Film Version)", "Any Moment - Part I". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is there a karaoke version of "Send In The Clowns" with lyrics?
Yes — this is a free karaoke slide for "Send In The Clowns" by Stephen Sondheim. The lyrics appear on screen a line at a time and each word lights up exactly when it's sung, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word. A backing plays underneath so you can just sing.
Does it show chords so I can play along on guitar or piano?
It does — a chord symbol sits on a thin row just above the lyric it changes on, so the same screen doubles as a lyrics-and-chords chart. Guitarists can strum the changes and pianists can comp while singing; the chords are colour-coded and move with the live transpose if you change key.
Can I change the key of "Send In The Clowns" to match my voice or capo?
Yes. The original is in C, but the live transpose control shifts the whole song up or down semitones until the melody sits in your range (or maps to an easier guitar shape / capo position) — the on-screen chords and the backing move with it.
Can I slow "Send In The Clowns" down to learn the words and chords?
Yes — the tempo control lets you take it as slow as you need while the lyrics still light up in time and the ball keeps you on the beat. Speed it back up once you can sing and play it through.