Now playing

Knuckleball Catcher

Chords

4.34 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/12

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 12Position: 1

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

                               { ** Capo on 3rd fret ** }
Intro / “Thing” in between verses:
e|---G3----B7/F#-2------Em0----C/G-0---|   
B|---0-----0------0-----1---|
G|---0-----2------0-----0---|
D|---0-----1------2-----2---|   
A|---2-----2------2-----3---|
E|---3-----2------0-----3---|
Verse:
e|--G3--------C/G0-----------|   
B|--0/1------1-----------|
G|--0--------0-----------|
D|--0--------2-----------|   
A|--2--------3-----------|
E|--3--------3-----------|
GCaught my eye when a flash of lightning hit thC/Ge land
GOut in the darkness, with a banjo in your handD  
You came Ginto the firelight, to the circle from the gC/GloomA  
GI was standing childlike, wDhile you got yourself in tuGne
Now a bDricklayer can be an oldC/G-time player tooG  
But a kDnuckleball catcher, onlC/Gy gets one job to doA  
GYou played your melody, it was too much to belC/Gieve
GFroze my flesh down to minus nine dDegrees
GLike I was passing a graveyard full of flowers on mother’s C/GdayA  
GNow that’s the last time I let a stranger Dbreak my heart this wGay
Now a dDen mother can be a dashC/Gboard drummer Gtoo
But a Dknuckleball catcher, oC/Gnly gets one job to Ado
   C/G     D           G               the move from C/G to D is
                                      two frets up
                         *Notice, D is usually C/G, two frets up
Solo also played while Gillian plays the “Thing”:
e|---G3----B7/F#3----0--Em--0--C/G-|
B|---0----0----0----1---|
G|---0----0----0----0---|
D|---0----0----2----2---|
A|---2----0----2----3---|
E|---3----2----0----3---|
GWhen the jam was finished, and you slipped out of the choC/Gir
GI tried to follow, but my shoes just caught on Dfire
so I Gsearched the campfire, I never saw your face agaC/GinA  
You ain't a Gdevil woman, jDust a bluegrass fanG  
‘Cause Da left-winger can be a C/Gbluegrass singer tGoo
and somDe hard liquor can make C/Ga guitar picker out of yAou
but a Gknuckleball catcher onDly gets one job tGo do
   C/G     D           G               the move from C/G to D is
                                      two frets up
D chord, is usually (relative to capo):
e|---0----|
B|---3----|
G|---0----|
D|---4----|
A|---5----|
E|---5----|
------------

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Knuckleball Catcher

by Gillian Welch

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 3 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

B7/F#

C/G

{ ** Capo on 3rd fret ** }

Intro / “Thing” in between verses:

G B7/F# Em C/G

e|---3-----2------0-----0---|

B|---0-----0------0-----1---|

G|---0-----2------0-----0---|

D|---0-----1------2-----2---|

A|---2-----2------2-----3---|

E|---3-----2------0-----3---|

Verse:

G C/G

e|--3--------0-----------|

B|--0/1------1-----------|

G|--0--------0-----------|

D|--0--------2-----------|

A|--2--------3-----------|

E|--3--------3-----------|

G C/G

Caught my eye when a flash of lightning hit the land

G D

Out in the darkness, with a banjo in your hand

G C/G A

You came into the firelight, to the circle from the gloom

G D G

I was standing childlike, while you got yourself in tune

D C/G G

Now a bricklayer can be an old-time player too

D C/G A

But a knuckleball catcher, only gets one job to do

G C/G

You played your melody, it was too much to believe

G D

Froze my flesh down to minus nine degrees

G C/G A

Like I was passing a graveyard full of flowers on mother’s day

G D G

Now that’s the last time I let a stranger break my heart this way

D C/G G

Now a den mother can be a dashboard drummer too

D C/G A

But a knuckleball catcher, only gets one job to do

C/G D G the move from C/G to D is

two frets up

*Notice, D is usually C/G, two frets up

Solo also played while Gillian plays the “Thing”:

G B7/F# Em C/G

e|---3----3----0----0---|

B|---0----0----0----1---|

G|---0----0----0----0---|

D|---0----0----2----2---|

A|---2----0----2----3---|

E|---3----2----0----3---|

G C/G

When the jam was finished, and you slipped out of the choir

G D

I tried to follow, but my shoes just caught on fire

G C/G A

so I searched the campfire, I never saw your face again

G D G

You ain't a devil woman, just a bluegrass fan

D C/G G

‘Cause a left-winger can be a bluegrass singer too

D C/G A

and some hard liquor can make a guitar picker out of you

G D G

but a knuckleball catcher only gets one job to do

C/G D G the move from C/G to D is

two frets up

D chord, is usually (relative to capo):

e|---0----|

B|---3----|

G|---0----|

D|---4----|

A|---5----|

E|---5----|

------------

About Knuckleball Catcher Chords by Gillian Welch

Learn how to play Knuckleball Catcher by Gillian Welch with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Knuckleball Catcher chords”, “Knuckleball Catcher guitar chords”, or “Gillian Welch Knuckleball Catcher 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 Knuckleball Catcher chords and for experienced players who want accurate Knuckleball Catcher lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, B7/F#, Em, C/G, B, D.

FAQ — Knuckleball Catcher by Gillian Welch

How do I play "Knuckleball Catcher" by Gillian Welch on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Knuckleball Catcher" by Gillian Welch on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Knuckleball Catcher" by Gillian Welch free?

Yes. The chords for "Knuckleball Catcher" by Gillian Welch are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Knuckleball Catcher" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Knuckleball Catcher"?

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

Is "Knuckleball Catcher" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Knuckleball Catcher" by Gillian Welch with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Gillian Welch below.

What key is "Knuckleball Catcher" in?

The chords for "Knuckleball Catcher" show the original chord names (including G, B7/F#, Em, C/G, B, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.