Big Blue Balloon
John Hartford
Natural To Be Gone (1967) and RCA Country Legends (1968)
Banjo tuned E, Capo 1, Key of:  F
Transcribed by:  Verne Garrison, May 28 2012


"Hurry hurry step right up, see Joe the dog faced boy" carnival 

barker in the background.

   F          C        F
I follow a big blue balloon
                     C            F
Through the carnival spring afternoon
                                C
Isn't it wild, to be lost like a child?
                     F
Chasing a big blue balloon


I follow a big blue balloon
Through the carnival spring afternoon
At the end of the string, there's a groovy young thing
Pulling her big blue balloon

Wait, just a moment, I stopped,
To buy me a green lollypop
And talk to the man with the canes in his hands
And the wind up rabbits that hop


I follow the big blue balloon
Through the carnival spring afternoon
Just hoping she'll wait, when she gets to the gate
She'll be holding her big blue balloon


Wait just a moment, I sigh
I think I must stop for a ride
I'm a sucker for clowns, and the merry-go rounds
When it only will cost me a dime


I follow a big blue balloon
Through the carnival late afternoon
And now I have money, don't worry I'm coming
Hold on to your big blue balloon

(carnvial trumpet barely heard in background)