Big Thief - Cattails: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "Cattails" on your guitar with our detailed chord guide and lyrics. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

Learn Cattails Guitar Chords and Lyrics by Big Thief

This section will guide you through each part of the song, providing the guitar chords placed directly above the lyrics for easy playing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, these elements will help you perform "Cattails" smoothly on your guitar.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

A#m  G#    A#m   F#
Caro line, Caro line
   C#          F#            G#
I never could leave you to struggle
A#m      G#    A#m       F#
Hold the line, hold the line
C#        F#          G#
I'll be there on the double
A#m  G#   A#m F#
In  time, in time
C#        F#       G#
Everyone does see trouble

Chorus:
              A#m           F#            G#
And you don't need to know why when you cry
          A#m           F#
You don't need to know why
          A#m           F#            G#
You don't need to know why when you cry

Violet’s eyes, Violet plays
Going back home to the Great Lakes
Where the cattail sways
With the lonesome loon
Riding that train in late June

Chorus:
With the windows wide by my side
With the windows wide
With the windows wide by my side

And the clusters fell like an empty bell
Meteor shower at the motel
Where the empty space is a saving grace
Making good time and doing well
Still the question sings like Saturn’s rings
Maybe she knows and she won’t tell

Chorus:
But you don’t need to know why when you cry
You don’t need to know why
You don’t need to know why when you cry

And I find you there in your country flair
Middle of the river in a lawn chair
With your wrinkled hands and your silver hair
Leaving here soon and you know where
To where the cattail sways with the lonesome loon
You’ll be riding that train in late June

Chorus:
With the windows wide by your side
With the windows wide
With the windows wide by your side
You don’t need to know why
You don’t need to know why when you cry


You can simplify chords by removing barre

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Simplify chords by removing barre

Guitar Chord Diagrams

A#m

Guitar chord A#m

C#

Guitar chord C#

F#

Guitar chord F#

G#

Guitar chord G#

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

If you are also interested in learning how to play "Cattails" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "Cattails" by Big Thief.