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The Captain

Chords

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Now the ACaptain called me Eto his bed
He fDumbled for my hAand
TDake these silver bAars, he said
I'm giEving you comAmand.
ComAmand of what, there's A7no one here
There's oDnly you and Ame
All the rEest are dead or in retreat
Or wDith the eAnemy.
Complain, Acomplain, that's all Eyou've done
EvDer since we lAost
If iDt's not the CrucifiAxion
Then iEt's the HolocaAust.
May CAhrist have mercy on yoA7ur soul
For makDing such a jAoke
Amid tEhese hearts that burn like coal
And the fleDsh that rose like sAmoke.
I kAnow that you have suEffered, lad
But sDuffer this awhAile
WhatevDer makes a soldier sAad
Will mEake a killer smAile.
I'm lAeaving, Captain, I've got to A7go
There's bDlood upon your hAand
But tEell me, Captain, if you know
Of a dDecent place to stAand.
There Ais no decent place to stEand
DIn a massaAcre
But Dif a woman take your hAand
Then Ego and stand with hAer.
I leAft a wife in TennessA7ee
And a Dbaby in SaigAon
I risEked my life but not to hear
Some cDountry-western soAng.
Ah, but Aif you cannot raise your loEve
To a Dvery high degrAee
Then you're jDust the man I've been thinking Aof
So cEome and stand with Ame.
Your stAanding days are done, I crA7ied,
You'll Drally me no moAre
I dEon't even know what side
We fDought on, or what fAor.
I'm oAn the side that's always lEost
AgaiDnst the side of HeavAen
I'm Don the side of Snake-eyes tosAsed
AgaiEnst the side of SevAen
And I've Aread the Bill of Human RigA7hts
And soDme of it was trAue
But tEhere wasn't any burden left
So I'm lDaying it on yAou.
Now the CAaptain he was dEying
But the CDaptain wasn't hAurt
The sDilver bars were Ain my hand
I piEnned them to my shAirt

All chords in this song (4)

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The Captain

by Leonard Cohen

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

A E

Now the Captain called me to his bed

D A

He fumbled for my hand

D A

Take these silver bars, he said

E A

I'm giving you command.

A A7

Command of what, there's no one here

D A

There's only you and me

All the rest are dead or in retreat

D A

Or with the enemy.

A E

Complain, complain, that's all you've done

D A

Ever since we lost

D A

If it's not the Crucifixion

E A

Then it's the Holocaust.

A A7

May Christ have mercy on your soul

D A

For making such a joke

Amid these hearts that burn like coal

D A

And the flesh that rose like smoke.

A E

I know that you have suffered, lad

D A

But suffer this awhile

D A

Whatever makes a soldier sad

E A

Will make a killer smile.

A A7

I'm leaving, Captain, I've got to go

D A

There's blood upon your hand

But tell me, Captain, if you know

D A

Of a decent place to stand.

A E

There is no decent place to stand

D A

In a massacre

D A

But if a woman take your hand

E A

Then go and stand with her.

A A7

I left a wife in Tennessee

D A

And a baby in Saigon

I risked my life but not to hear

D A

Some country-western song.

A E

Ah, but if you cannot raise your love

D A

To a very high degree

D A

Then you're just the man I've been thinking of

E A

So come and stand with me.

A A7

Your standing days are done, I cried,

D A

You'll rally me no more

I don't even know what side

D A

We fought on, or what for.

A E

I'm on the side that's always lost

D A

Against the side of Heaven

D A

I'm on the side of Snake-eyes tossed

E A

Against the side of Seven

A A7

And I've read the Bill of Human Rights

D A

And some of it was true

But there wasn't any burden left

D A

So I'm laying it on you.

A E

Now the Captain he was dying

D A

But the Captain wasn't hurt

D A

The silver bars were in my hand

E A

I pinned them to my shirt

About The Captain Chords by Leonard Cohen

Learn how to play The Captain by Leonard Cohen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Captain chords”, “The Captain guitar chords”, or “Leonard Cohen The Captain 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 Captain chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Captain lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, E, D, A7.

FAQ — The Captain by Leonard Cohen

How do I play "The Captain" by Leonard Cohen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Captain" by Leonard Cohen 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 "The Captain" by Leonard Cohen free?

Yes. The chords for "The Captain" by Leonard Cohen are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Captain" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Captain"?

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

Is "The Captain" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Captain" by Leonard Cohen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Leonard Cohen below.

What key is "The Captain" in?

The chords for "The Captain" show the original chord names (including A, E, D, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.