Reason Behind the Cape

So there's a song I've discovered quite recently that I feel should have been a song of childhood. If you can't guess, it's about a cape. I like it, and highly recommend Steve Earle to anyone interested in feeling like they're six again listening to grandpa's radio.

The Cape - Steve Earle, Guy Clark and Townes Van Zant Together at the Bluebird Cafe
Eight years old with a floursack cape
Tied all around his neck
He climbed up on the garage
He's figurin' what the heck
Well, he screwed up his courage up so tight
That the whole thing come unwound
He got a runnin' start and bless his heart
He's headed for the ground

Well (yes) he's one of those who knows that life
Is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath
And always trust your cape

Now he's all grown up with a floursack cape
Tied all around his dreams
And he's full of spit and vinegar
And he's bustin' at the seams
Well, he licked his finger and he checked the wind
It's gonna be do or die
He wasn't scared of nothin' boys
He was pretty sure he could fly

Well (yes) he's one of those who knows that life
Is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath
And always trust your cape

Now he's old and gray with a floursack cape
Tied all around his head
He's still jumpin' off the garage
And will be till he's dead
All these years the people said
He was actin' like a kid
He did not know he could not fly
So he did

Well (yes) he's one of those who knows that life
Is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath
And always trust your cape