Now playing

Cardinal Song

Chords

4.822 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Capo on 2
[Verse 1]
NC
Never look her in the eyes
NC
Never tell the truth
EmIf she knows you're paper
GYou know she'll have to burn you
[Verse 2]
EmNever tell the one you want 
GThat you do
EmSave it for the deathbed
When you Gknow you kept her wanting you
[Bridge]
And Amdo 
DmEverything she'd never CdoEm  F  
[Verse 3]
EmFall asleep with stranger's wives
GThe wild wives of unknown men
EmGood for you, you've just become
GJust another one of them
GNever say you miss her
EmNever say a wordF  Am  
[Bridge]
And Amdo 
DmEverything she'd never CdoEm  Am  
[Chorus]
CDon't let her see Gyour cardinal eyes
C                G
[Verse 4]
Let her treat you like a Emcriminal
So you can Gtreat her like a priest
EmGirls forgive my human mind
GGirls forgive me one more time
[Verse 5]
EmNever tell the one you love 
GThat you do
EmSave it for the deathbed
[Bridge]
And Amdo 
DmEverything she'd never Cdo
[Chorus]
CDon't let her see Gyour cardinal eyes
C                G
CDon't let her see Gyour cardinal eyes
C                G
 C   Gx9
C Dm7 (really not sure about this 2d chord...doesn't sound like G to me)
C
[Outro]
D  C  G
G  Em  C
Em  C
EmJesus christ you have confused Cme
EmCornered, wasted, blessed and uCsed me
EmForgive me girls i am confused
CStiff and pissed and lost and Amloose
EmJesus christ you have confused Cme
EmCornered, wasted, blessed and uCsed me
EmForgive me girls i am confused
CStiff and pissed and lost and Amloose
Am

All chords in this song (7)

🎸 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

Cardinal Song

by The National

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

Chords in this song · guitar

Capo on 2

[Verse 1]

Never look her in the eyes

Never tell the truth

If she knows you're paper

You know she'll have to burn you

[Verse 2]

Never tell the one you want

That you do

Save it for the deathbed

When you know you kept her wanting you

[Bridge]

And do

Dm C Em F

Everything she'd never do

[Verse 3]

Fall asleep with stranger's wives

The wild wives of unknown men

Good for you, you've just become

Just another one of them

Never say you miss her

Em F Am

Never say a word

[Bridge]

And do

Dm C Em Am

Everything she'd never do

[Chorus]

C G

Don't let her see your cardinal eyes

C G

[Verse 4]

Let her treat you like a criminal

So you can treat her like a priest

Girls forgive my human mind

Girls forgive me one more time

[Verse 5]

Never tell the one you love

That you do

Save it for the deathbed

[Bridge]

And do

Dm C

Everything she'd never do

[Chorus]

C G

Don't let her see your cardinal eyes

C G

Don't let her see your cardinal eyes

C G

C Dm7 (really not sure about this 2d chord...doesn't sound like G to me)

[Outro]

D C G

G Em C

Em C

Jesus christ you have confused me

Em C

Cornered, wasted, blessed and used me

Forgive me girls i am confused

C Am

Stiff and pissed and lost and loose

Em C

Jesus christ you have confused me

Em C

Cornered, wasted, blessed and used me

Forgive me girls i am confused

C Am

Stiff and pissed and lost and loose

About Cardinal Song Chords by The National

Learn how to play Cardinal Song by The National with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Cardinal Song chords”, “Cardinal Song guitar chords”, or “The National Cardinal Song 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 Cardinal Song chords and for experienced players who want accurate Cardinal Song lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, G, Am, Dm, C, F.

FAQ — Cardinal Song by The National

How do I play "Cardinal Song" by The National on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Cardinal Song" by The National 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 "Cardinal Song" by The National free?

Yes. The chords for "Cardinal Song" by The National are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Cardinal Song" to a different key?

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

Can I see chord diagrams for "Cardinal Song"?

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

Is "Cardinal Song" easy to play on guitar?

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

What key is "Cardinal Song" in?

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