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Jackson Cage

Chords

4.819 votes

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/24

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 24Position: 2

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

C#me|------------A-|----------E-|-----------F#m-|----A----|
B|-----2-------|-----------|------------|--------|
G|---4---4-2-1-|---------1-|----/4--2-1-|--------|
D|-2-----------|-4-4-2-4---|-2--s-------|-4-2----|
A|-------------|-----------|------------|------4-|
E|-------------|-----------|------------|--------|
[Verse 1]
C#mDriving home she grabs sAomething to eatE  
Turns a corner and dF#mrives down hAer streetC#m  
Into a row of houses shF#me just melts awayE  
Like a scenery in anotF#mher mAan's play
Into a house where the Bblinds are closed
To kC#meep from seeing things she don't wAanna know
She pulls the blinds and looks oBut on the street
Where the cAool of the night takes the eBdge off the street
[Chorus]
In the JEackson CageC#m  
Down in the G#mJackson CageA  
You can try wEith all yoBur mighAt
But you're reminEded evBery nigAht
That you've been judged C#mand handeAd life
DBown in the Jackson CEageB  C#m  
[Verse 2]
Every day ends in wAasted motionE  
Just crossed swords on the F#mkilling flAoorC#m  
To settle back is to F#msettle without knowingE  
The hard edge that you're F#msettling fAor
Because there's always just oBne more day
C#mAnd it's always gonna bAe that way
Little girl you've been dBown here so long
I can tAell by the way that you mBove you belong to
[Chorus]
The JEackson CagC#me
Down in JG#mackson CageA  
And it don't matter jEust what yBou say
Are yAou tough enough to play tEhe game thBey play
Or will you Ajust do your time C#mand fade aAway
DBown into the Jackson CEage
(Harp solo)
C#m  C#m  E  E  C#m  C#m  E B  A  A  C#m
[Verse 3]
Baby there's nights when I Adream of a better worlEd
But I wake so dF#mownhearted giArlC#m  
I see you feeling so tF#mired and confused
EI wonder what it's worth to F#mme or yAou
Just waiting to sBee some sun
C#mNever knowing if that dAay will ever come
Left alone standing oBut on the street
Till you becAome the hand that tBurns the key down in
[Chorus]
JEackson CageC#m  
Down in JG#mackson CagAe
Well darling can yEou undeBrstand
TAhe way that they wEill turn Ba man 
IntAo a stranger tC#mo waste Aaway
DBown in the Jackson CAageE  
e|-C#m4---A0--E0--F#m2----G#m4----B2-|
B|-5---2--0--2----4----4-|
G|-6---2--1--2----4----4-|
D|-6---2--2--4----6----4-|
A|-4---0--2--4----6----2-|
E|--------0--2----4------|

All chords in this song (6)

The story behind the song

"Jackson Cage" appears on Bruce Springsteen's 1980 double album, The River. This album aimed to capture the live energy of the E Street Band, blending upbeat party songs with more reflective ballads. The lyrics of songs on The River, including this one, often explore themes of love, marriage, and family, expanding on ideas from Springsteen's earlier works. The characters within the songs were inspired by the writing of Flannery O'Connor. Playing this song can evoke the raw, live garage-band sound that was a hallmark of the album.

AI-written from these sources:The River (Bruce Springsteen album) — Wikipedia ↗Bruce Springsteen — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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Chord Book

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

Jackson Cage

by Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C#m

F#m

G#m

C#m A E F#m A

e|-------------|-----------|------------|--------|

B|-----2-------|-----------|------------|--------|

G|---4---4-2-1-|---------1-|----/4--2-1-|--------|

D|-2-----------|-4-4-2-4---|-2--s-------|-4-2----|

A|-------------|-----------|------------|------4-|

E|-------------|-----------|------------|--------|

[Verse 1]

C#m A E

Driving home she grabs something to eat

F#m A C#m

Turns a corner and drives down her street

F#m E

Into a row of houses she just melts away

F#m A

Like a scenery in another man's play

Into a house where the blinds are closed

C#m A

To keep from seeing things she don't wanna know

She pulls the blinds and looks out on the street

A B

Where the cool of the night takes the edge off the street

[Chorus]

E C#m

In the Jackson Cage

G#m A

Down in the Jackson Cage

E B A

You can try with all your might

E B A

But you're reminded every night

C#m A

That you've been judged and handed life

B E B C#m

Down in the Jackson Cage

[Verse 2]

A E

Every day ends in wasted motion

F#m A C#m

Just crossed swords on the killing floor

F#m E

To settle back is to settle without knowing

F#m A

The hard edge that you're settling for

Because there's always just one more day

C#m A

And it's always gonna be that way

Little girl you've been down here so long

A B

I can tell by the way that you move you belong to

[Chorus]

E C#m

The Jackson Cage

G#m A

Down in Jackson Cage

E B

And it don't matter just what you say

A E B

Are you tough enough to play the game they play

A C#m A

Or will you just do your time and fade away

B E

Down into the Jackson Cage

(Harp solo)

C#m C#m E E C#m C#m E B A A C#m

[Verse 3]

A E

Baby there's nights when I dream of a better world

F#m A C#m

But I wake so downhearted girl

F#m

I see you feeling so tired and confused

E F#m A

I wonder what it's worth to me or you

Just waiting to see some sun

C#m A

Never knowing if that day will ever come

Left alone standing out on the street

A B

Till you become the hand that turns the key down in

[Chorus]

E C#m

Jackson Cage

G#m A

Down in Jackson Cage

E B

Well darling can you understand

A E B

The way that they will turn a man

A C#m A

Into a stranger to waste away

B A E

Down in the Jackson Cage

C#m A E F#m G#m B

e|-4---0--0--2----4----2-|

B|-5---2--0--2----4----4-|

G|-6---2--1--2----4----4-|

D|-6---2--2--4----6----4-|

A|-4---0--2--4----6----2-|

E|--------0--2----4------|

About Jackson Cage Chords by Bruce Springsteen

Learn how to play Jackson Cage by Bruce Springsteen with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Jackson Cage chords”, “Jackson Cage guitar chords”, or “Bruce Springsteen Jackson Cage 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 Jackson Cage chords and for experienced players who want accurate Jackson Cage lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C#m, A, E, F#m, B, G.

FAQ — Jackson Cage by Bruce Springsteen

How do I play "Jackson Cage" by Bruce Springsteen on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Jackson Cage" by Bruce Springsteen 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 "Jackson Cage" by Bruce Springsteen free?

Yes. The chords for "Jackson Cage" by Bruce Springsteen are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Jackson Cage" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Jackson Cage"?

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

Is "Jackson Cage" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Jackson Cage" by Bruce Springsteen with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Bruce Springsteen below.

What key is "Jackson Cage" in?

The chords for "Jackson Cage" show the original chord names (including C#m, A, E, F#m, B, G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.