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The Cape

Chords

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Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Strum each chord twice and emphasize the bass line
on the down beat. Or try fingerpicking.
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F  G  C
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F     G
Am      G        F     C
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F  G  C
C
[Verse 1]
CEight years C/Bold with a Amflour sack C/Gcape
Tied Fall arGound his Cneck
CHe climbed C/Bup on Amthe garC/Gage
He's Ffigurin' what the heGck
He Cscrewed his C/Bcourage Amup so C/Gtight
That the Fwhole thing Gcome unCwound
He got a Crunnin' C/Bstart and Ambless his hC/Geart
He Fheaded Gfor the grCoundC  
[Chorus]
Well, he's Amone of those who Gknows that life
Is Fjust a leap of Cfaith
CSpread your C/Barms and Amhold your bC/Greath
And Falways Gtrust your Ccape
[Interlude]
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F  G  C
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F  G  C
C
[Verse 2]
Now he's Call grown C/Bup with a Amflour sack C/Gcape
Tied Fall arGound his Cdreams
And he's Cfull of C/Bpiss and AmvinegarC/G  
And he's Fbustin at the sGeams
So he Clicked his C/Bfinger and Amchecked the wC/Gind
It's Fgonna be Gdo or dCie
CHe wasn't C/Bscared of Amnothin', C/Gboys
He was Fpretty sure Ghe could CflyC  
[Chorus]
Well, he's Amone of those who Gknows that life
Is Fjust a leap of Cfaith
CSpread your C/Barms and Amhold your bC/Greath
And Falways Gtrust your Ccape
[Instrumental]
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F  G  C
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F  G  C
C
[Verse 3]
Now he's Cold and C/Bgrey with a Amflour sack C/Gcape
Tied Fall arGound his Chead
CHe's still C/Bjumpin' Amoff the gaC/Grage
And Fwill be till he's Gdead
CAll these C/Byears the Ampeople sC/Gaid
He's Factin' Glike a kiCd
He Cdid not C/Bknow he Amcould not C/Gfly
   F  GSo he dCidC  
[Chorus]
Well, he's Amone of those who Gknows that life
Is Fjust a leap of Cfaith
CSpread your C/Barms and Amhold your bC/Greath
And Falways Gtrust your Ccape
Yeah, he's Amone of those who Gknows that life
Is Fjust a leap of Cfaith
CSpread your C/Barms and Amhold your bC/Greath
And Falways Gtrust your Ccape
CSpread your aC/Brms and Amhold your bC/Greath
And Falways Gtrust your cCape
[Outro]
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F  G  C
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F     G
Am      G        F     C
C  C/B  Am  C/G  F   G   C

All chords in this song (6)

Open

X32O1O

Major chord - Happy, bright sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

C major

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

The Cape

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The Cape

by Guy Clark

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C/B

C/G

[Intro]

Strum each chord twice and emphasize the bass line

on the down beat. Or try fingerpicking.

C C/B Am C/G F G C

C C/B Am C/G F G

Am G F C

C C/B Am C/G F G C

[Verse 1]

C C/B Am C/G

Eight years old with a flour sack cape

F G C

Tied all around his neck

C C/B Am C/G

He climbed up on the garage

F G

He's figurin' what the heck

C C/B Am C/G

He screwed his courage up so tight

F G C

That the whole thing come unwound

C C/B Am C/G

He got a runnin' start and bless his heart

F G C C

He headed for the ground

[Chorus]

Am G

Well, he's one of those who knows that life

F C

Is just a leap of faith

C C/B Am C/G

Spread your arms and hold your breath

F G C

And always trust your cape

[Interlude]

C C/B Am C/G F G C

[Verse 2]

C C/B Am C/G

Now he's all grown up with a flour sack cape

F G C

Tied all around his dreams

C C/B Am C/G

And he's full of piss and vinegar

F G

And he's bustin at the seams

C C/B Am C/G

So he licked his finger and checked the wind

F G C

It's gonna be do or die

C C/B Am C/G

He wasn't scared of nothin', boys

F G C C

He was pretty sure he could fly

[Chorus]

Am G

Well, he's one of those who knows that life

F C

Is just a leap of faith

C C/B Am C/G

Spread your arms and hold your breath

F G C

And always trust your cape

[Instrumental]

C C/B Am C/G F G C

[Verse 3]

C C/B Am C/G

Now he's old and grey with a flour sack cape

F G C

Tied all around his head

C C/B Am C/G

He's still jumpin' off the garage

F G

And will be till he's dead

C C/B Am C/G

All these years the people said

F G C

He's actin' like a kid

C C/B Am C/G

He did not know he could not fly

F G C C

So he did

[Chorus]

Am G

Well, he's one of those who knows that life

F C

Is just a leap of faith

C C/B Am C/G

Spread your arms and hold your breath

F G C

And always trust your cape

Am G

Yeah, he's one of those who knows that life

F C

Is just a leap of faith

C C/B Am C/G

Spread your arms and hold your breath

F G C

And always trust your cape

C C/B Am C/G

Spread your arms and hold your breath

F G C

And always trust your cape

[Outro]

C C/B Am C/G F G C

C C/B Am C/G F G

Am G F C

C C/B Am C/G F G C

About The Cape Chords by Guy Clark

Learn how to play The Cape by Guy Clark with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Cape chords”, “The Cape guitar chords”, or “Guy Clark The Cape chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Cape chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Cape lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, C/B, Am, C/G, F, G.

FAQ — The Cape by Guy Clark

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Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "The Cape" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Cape"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "The Cape" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Cape" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Cape" in?

The chords for "The Cape" show the original chord names (including C, C/B, Am, C/G, F, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.