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Caterpillars

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Caterpillars
From the album Wilderness
[INTRO]
E E7
COh-E7oh-Amoh 
[VERSE 1]
AmSylvia was strCuck by lightning 
while rDmeading in bed one nFight
She'd lAmeft the windows Copen,
and the stDmorm caught her by surprFise
[VERSE 2]
For dAmays she lay stCill as stone 
hDmooked to pumps and tFubes
Then Amout her window, the strCeet lights flashed 
and at lDmast her fingers mFoved
[BRIDGE]
She awFoke to a cacEophony 
of elFectric and radio wEaves
PFulsing rays of Eenergy 
fFalling from outer spEaceE7  
[INTERLUDE]
COh-E7oh-Amoh 
[VERSE 3]
HAmigh in swaying tCowers, 
down in bDmasements full of dFust
She could Amnot escape the stCatic
or the sDmixty cycle hFum
[VERSE 4]
She wore dAmark-tinted spCectacles
sDmeveral fur-lined cFapes
ThAmree pairs of vCelvet gloves
a vDmeil of dotted swFiss
[BRIDGE]
But aFll the Earth's vibrEations 
still pFounded through her eEars
So she pFacked a steamer trEunk
and flew a prFop plane to BelEizeE7  
[INTERLUDE]
COh-E7oh-Amoh 
[VERSE 5]
From thAmere a log raft tCook her 
over rDmaging waterfFalls
Deep withAmin uncharted jCungle 
where giDmant caterpillars crFawl
[VERSE 6]
They sAmpun their silk arCound her
a cocDmoon beneath the trFees
And stAmill she hangs there swCaying
deep withDmin the dripping leFaves
[BRIDGE]
Keeping tFime with every rEumble, 
every qFuiver of the EEarth
And she slFowly changes shEape 
with the tFurning of the wEorldE7  
[INTERLUDE]
COh-E7oh-Amoh
 Am   C   Dm   Fx4
[OUTRO]
 F   Ex 4 E7  
COh-E7oh-Amoh 

All chords in this song (6)

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Caterpillars

by The Handsome Family

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Caterpillars

From the album Wilderness

[INTRO]

E E7

C E7 Am

Oh-oh-oh

[VERSE 1]

Am C

Sylvia was struck by lightning

Dm F

while reading in bed one night

Am C

She'd left the windows open,

Dm F

and the storm caught her by surprise

[VERSE 2]

Am C

For days she lay still as stone

Dm F

hooked to pumps and tubes

Am C

Then out her window, the street lights flashed

Dm F

and at last her fingers moved

[BRIDGE]

F E

She awoke to a cacophony

F E

of electric and radio waves

F E

Pulsing rays of energy

F E E7

falling from outer space

[INTERLUDE]

C E7 Am

Oh-oh-oh

[VERSE 3]

Am C

High in swaying towers,

Dm F

down in basements full of dust

Am C

She could not escape the static

Dm F

or the sixty cycle hum

[VERSE 4]

Am C

She wore dark-tinted spectacles

Dm F

several fur-lined capes

Am C

Three pairs of velvet gloves

Dm F

a veil of dotted swiss

[BRIDGE]

F E

But all the Earth's vibrations

F E

still pounded through her ears

F E

So she packed a steamer trunk

F E E7

and flew a prop plane to Belize

[INTERLUDE]

C E7 Am

Oh-oh-oh

[VERSE 5]

Am C

From there a log raft took her

Dm F

over raging waterfalls

Am C

Deep within uncharted jungle

Dm F

where giant caterpillars crawl

[VERSE 6]

Am C

They spun their silk around her

Dm F

a cocoon beneath the trees

Am C

And still she hangs there swaying

Dm F

deep within the dripping leaves

[BRIDGE]

F E

Keeping time with every rumble,

F E

every quiver of the Earth

F E

And she slowly changes shape

F E E7

with the turning of the world

[INTERLUDE]

C E7 Am

Oh-oh-oh

Am C Dm F

[OUTRO]

F E E7

x 4

C E7 Am

Oh-oh-oh

About Caterpillars Chords by The Handsome Family

Learn how to play Caterpillars by The Handsome Family with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Caterpillars chords”, “Caterpillars guitar chords”, or “The Handsome Family Caterpillars 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 Caterpillars chords and for experienced players who want accurate Caterpillars lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, E7, C, Am, Dm, F.

FAQ — Caterpillars by The Handsome Family

How do I play "Caterpillars" by The Handsome Family on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Caterpillars" to a different key?

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Can I see chord diagrams for "Caterpillars"?

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

Is "Caterpillars" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Caterpillars" in?

The chords for "Caterpillars" show the original chord names (including E, E7, C, Am, Dm, F). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.