Now playing

The Cape

Chords

4.74 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Gmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

The actual key is A but sounds best with a capo on the 2nd fret
and played "as if" in G.
[Chords]
    G320003
 G/F#200003
   Em022000
    Cx32010
    Dxx0232
[Intro]
G
[Verse 1]
GEight years old with a flEmoursack cape
Tied Call arDound his neGck
GHe climbed G/F#up on the gaEmrage
He's Cfigurin' what the hDeck
Well, he Gscrewed up his courage Emup so tight
That the wChole thing cDome unwoGund
He Ggot a runnin' G/F#start and bEmless his heart
He's hCeaded fDor the grouGnd
[Chorus]
Well he's oEmne of those who knDows that life
Is juCst a leap of fGaith
GSpread your G/F#arms and hEmold your breath
And aClways tDrust your cGape
[Interlude]
G G/F# Em D C D G
[Verse 2]
Now he's Gall grown up with a fEmloursack cape
Tied aCll aroDund his drGeams
And hGe's full of spit and Emvinegar
And he's bCustin' at the sDeams
Well, he Glicked his finger and he cEmhecked the wind
It's gConna be Ddo or dGie
GHe wasn't G/F#scared of nEmothin' boys
He was pCretty sure Dhe could fGly
[Chorus]
Well he's oEmne of those who knDows that life
Is juCst a leap of fGaith
GSpread your G/F#arms and hEmold your breath
And aClways tDrust your cGape
[Instrumental Break]
G Em C G
G Em C D
Em D C D
G G/F# Em C
[Verse 3]
Now he's Gold and gray with a Emfloursack cape
Tied Call arouDnd his hGead
GHe's still G/F#jumpin' ofEmf the garage
And wCill be till he's dDead
GAll these years the Empeople said
He was aCctin' liDke a kGid
He diGd not kG/F#now he coEmuld not fly
CSo hDe diGd
[Chorus]
Well he's oEmne of those who knDows that life
Is juCst a leap of fGaith
GSpread your G/F#arms and hEmold your breath
And aClways tDrust your cGape
[Chorus]
Yes he's onEme of those who knoDws that life
Is juCst a leap of fGaith
GSpread your G/F#arms and hEmold your breath
And aClways tDrust your cGape
[Outro]
G G/F# Em C G

All chords in this song (5)

🎸 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

The Cape

by Kathy Mattea

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

G/F#

The actual key is A but sounds best with a capo on the 2nd fret

and played "as if" in G.

[Chords]

320003

G/F#

200003

022000

x32010

xx0232

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

G Em

Eight years old with a floursack cape

C D G

Tied all around his neck

G G/F# Em

He climbed up on the garage

C D

He's figurin' what the heck

G Em

Well, he screwed up his courage up so tight

C D G

That the whole thing come unwound

G G/F# Em

He got a runnin' start and bless his heart

C D G

He's headed for the ground

[Chorus]

Em D

Well he's one of those who knows that life

C G

Is just a leap of faith

G G/F# Em

Spread your arms and hold your breath

C D G

And always trust your cape

[Interlude]

G G/F# Em D C D G

[Verse 2]

G Em

Now he's all grown up with a floursack cape

C D G

Tied all around his dreams

G Em

And he's full of spit and vinegar

C D

And he's bustin' at the seams

G Em

Well, he licked his finger and he checked the wind

C D G

It's gonna be do or die

G G/F# Em

He wasn't scared of nothin' boys

C D G

He was pretty sure he could fly

[Chorus]

Em D

Well he's one of those who knows that life

C G

Is just a leap of faith

G G/F# Em

Spread your arms and hold your breath

C D G

And always trust your cape

[Instrumental Break]

G Em C G

G Em C D

Em D C D

G G/F# Em C

[Verse 3]

G Em

Now he's old and gray with a floursack cape

C D G

Tied all around his head

G G/F# Em

He's still jumpin' off the garage

C D

And will be till he's dead

G Em

All these years the people said

C D G

He was actin' like a kid

G G/F# Em

He did not know he could not fly

C D G

So he did

[Chorus]

Em D

Well he's one of those who knows that life

C G

Is just a leap of faith

G G/F# Em

Spread your arms and hold your breath

C D G

And always trust your cape

[Chorus]

Em D

Yes he's one of those who knows that life

C G

Is just a leap of faith

G G/F# Em

Spread your arms and hold your breath

C D G

And always trust your cape

[Outro]

G G/F# Em C G

About The Cape Chords by Kathy Mattea

Learn how to play The Cape by Kathy Mattea with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Cape chords”, “The Cape guitar chords”, or “Kathy Mattea 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 A, G, G/F#, Em, C, D.

FAQ — The Cape by Kathy Mattea

How do I play "The Cape" by Kathy Mattea on guitar?

Open the free chords for "The Cape" by Kathy Mattea 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 Cape" by Kathy Mattea free?

Yes. The chords for "The Cape" by Kathy Mattea are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

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

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?

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

What key is "The Cape" in?

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