"Oh Sister", as performed by Andrew Bird, first recorded for his "Soldier On" EP (2006) with Norah O'Connor.
Written by Bob Dylan and Jacques Levy.
Originally recorded by Bob Dylan as "Oh, Sister" on the "Desire" LP (1976).
Standard tuning
[Intro]
C C G G
G D C C C G G (x4)
[Verse]
G D C C C G G
Oh, sister, when I come to lie in your arms
G D C C C G G
Please do not treat me like a stranger.
G D C C C G G
Our Father would not like the way that you act
G D C G
And you must realize the danger.
[Instrumental]
G D C C C G G (x4)
[Verse]
G D C C C G G
Oh, sister, am I not a brother to you
G D C C C G G
And one deserving of affection?
G D C C C G G
And is our purpose not the same on this earth,
G D C G
To love and follow his direction?
[Chorus]
C
We grew up together
G
From the cradle to the grave
C
Died and reborn
G
And then mysteriously saved.
D C C G G
Oh, sister…
[Instrumental]
G D C C C G G (x4)
[Verse] (Sometimes performed a cappella live, until "tomorrow" in the last line)
G D C C C G G
Oh, sister, when I come to knock on your door,
G D C C C G G
Don't turn away, you'll create sorrow.
G D C C C G G
Time is an ocean and it ends at the shore
G D Em C C C G G
You may not see me tomorrow.
[Outro]
G D C C C G G (x10)