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The Cat Came Back

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Now, jCust like everybody, you've got tGroubles of your Cown,
But Clet me tell you, mister, of the sGorrow I have knoCwn.
I hAmad an old, gray cat that I couCldn't bear to kFeep.
He spCent the nights a-howlin' and hGe wouldn't let me slCeep.
So I pCut him in a box and I tiGed it up quite wCell.
I hCad some fellas help me and I pGaid them not to tCell.
TAmhey put it in a Cboxcar, the westbound 7F10.
The tCrain pulled away and was nGever seen aCgain.
But the Ccat came back the vGery next day.
Yes, the Gcat came back and he wCouldn't stay away.
MeCow, kitty. MGeow, so pretty.
MGeow, such a pity, but the Amcat cGame Cback.
We tCook him to the harbor and we Gput him on a Cship.
We Cbid him, "Bon voyage," for that Goceanic Ctrip.
TAmhe captain was obliging and Cglad to help us Fout.
ThCey tied him to the anchor so that tGhere could be no Cdoubt.
WelCl, we heard the sad report of that Gmighty storm at Csea
AndC, though it may sound heartless, I was Ghappy as can Cbe.
TAmhe paper said the ship went down bCeneath a heavy Fgale
AnCd not a single soul was left to tGell the awful Ctale.
But the Ccat came back the vGery next day.
Yes, the Gcat came back and he wCouldn't stay away.
MeCow, kitty. MGeow, so pretty.
MGeow, such a pity, but the Amcat cGame Cback.
ThCen we gave him to a scientist Gdestined for the Cmoon.
The Ccat was used for ballast in an oGuter space bCalloon.
I Amguess you know what happened, that bCalloon is up there Fstill
AnCd early that next morning, guess what cGame across the Chill.
Meow, that's right.
NCow, everyone in town was sworn to Gshoot that cat on Csight.
WiCth that crazy cat around, you cGouldn't sleep at Cnight.
WAme even formed a Cposse just to hunt that critter dFown.
YoCu could hear the guns a-blazin' as we Gran him out of Ctown.
But the Ccat came back the vGery next day.
Yes, the Gcat came back and he wCouldn't stay away.
MeCow, kitty. MGeow, so pretty.
MGeow, such a pity, but the Amcat cGame Cback.
HeCre's the moral to our story: When Glooking for a Cfriend, 
ICf you get an old, gray cat, he's yGours until the Cend.
YAmou'll never drag him off, no Cmatter what you Fdo.
BCear in mind this dreadful tale that Gwe have told to Cyou.
But the Ccat came back the vGery next day.
Yes, the Gcat came back and he wCouldn't stay away.
MeCow, kitty. MGeow, so pretty.
MGeow, such a pity, but the Amcat cGame Cback.

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

"The Cat Came Back" is performed by The New Christy Minstrels, a large-ensemble folk music group founded in 1961 by Randy Sparks. Known for their blend of folk music with pop standards, the group recorded over 20 albums and achieved several hits, helping to launch the careers of musicians like Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes. This song fits into their world of lively folk performances. It plays like a lighthearted, persistent tune.

AI-written from these sources:The New Christy Minstrels — Wikipedia ↗

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Chord Book

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

The Cat Came Back

by The New Christy Minstrels

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C G C

Now, just like everybody, you've got troubles of your own,

C G C

But let me tell you, mister, of the sorrow I have known.

Am C F

I had an old, gray cat that I couldn't bear to keep.

C G C

He spent the nights a-howlin' and he wouldn't let me sleep.

C G C

So I put him in a box and I tied it up quite well.

C G C

I had some fellas help me and I paid them not to tell.

Am C F

They put it in a boxcar, the westbound 710.

C G C

The train pulled away and was never seen again.

C G

But the cat came back the very next day.

G C

Yes, the cat came back and he wouldn't stay away.

C G

Meow, kitty. Meow, so pretty.

G Am G C

Meow, such a pity, but the cat came back.

C G C

We took him to the harbor and we put him on a ship.

C G C

We bid him, "Bon voyage," for that oceanic trip.

Am C F

The captain was obliging and glad to help us out.

C G C

They tied him to the anchor so that there could be no doubt.

C G C

Well, we heard the sad report of that mighty storm at sea

C G C

And, though it may sound heartless, I was happy as can be.

Am C F

The paper said the ship went down beneath a heavy gale

C G C

And not a single soul was left to tell the awful tale.

C G

But the cat came back the very next day.

G C

Yes, the cat came back and he wouldn't stay away.

C G

Meow, kitty. Meow, so pretty.

G Am G C

Meow, such a pity, but the cat came back.

C G C

Then we gave him to a scientist destined for the moon.

C G C

The cat was used for ballast in an outer space balloon.

Am C F

I guess you know what happened, that balloon is up there still

C G C

And early that next morning, guess what came across the hill.

Meow, that's right.

C G C

Now, everyone in town was sworn to shoot that cat on sight.

C G C

With that crazy cat around, you couldn't sleep at night.

Am C F

We even formed a posse just to hunt that critter down.

C G C

You could hear the guns a-blazin' as we ran him out of town.

C G

But the cat came back the very next day.

G C

Yes, the cat came back and he wouldn't stay away.

C G

Meow, kitty. Meow, so pretty.

G Am G C

Meow, such a pity, but the cat came back.

C G C

Here's the moral to our story: When looking for a friend,

C G C

If you get an old, gray cat, he's yours until the end.

Am C F

You'll never drag him off, no matter what you do.

C G C

Bear in mind this dreadful tale that we have told to you.

C G

But the cat came back the very next day.

G C

Yes, the cat came back and he wouldn't stay away.

C G

Meow, kitty. Meow, so pretty.

G Am G C

Meow, such a pity, but the cat came back.

About The Cat Came Back Chords by The New Christy Minstrels

Learn how to play The Cat Came Back by The New Christy Minstrels with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Cat Came Back chords”, “The Cat Came Back guitar chords”, or “The New Christy Minstrels The Cat Came Back 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 Cat Came Back chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Cat Came Back lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, Am, F.

FAQ — The Cat Came Back by The New Christy Minstrels

How do I play "The Cat Came Back" by The New Christy Minstrels on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Cat Came Back" by The New Christy Minstrels 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 Cat Came Back" by The New Christy Minstrels free?

Yes. The chords for "The Cat Came Back" by The New Christy Minstrels are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "The Cat Came Back" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "The Cat Came Back"?

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

Is "The Cat Came Back" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "The Cat Came Back" by The New Christy Minstrels with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by The New Christy Minstrels below.

What key is "The Cat Came Back" in?

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