sister
Emmylou Harris Lyrics


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Sister's comin' home
Mama gonna let her sleep the whole day long
The whole day long
Sister's comin' home
Mama gonna let her sleep the whole day long

Sister's comin' home
Mama don't like the man that done her wrong
That done her wrong
Sister's coming home
Mama don't like the man that done her wrong

Down at the local beer joint
Dancin' to the rock' n' roll
Sister's like to do it, Lord
Sister's like to move her soul

Down at the local beer joint
Dancin' on the hardwood floor
Her jeans fit a little bit tighter
Than they did before
Than they did before
Her jeans fit a little bit tighter
Than they did before

She likes to move her soul
She likes to move her soul
Sister likes to do it, Lord
Sister likes to move her soul

Sister's comin' home
Mama don't like the man that done her wrong
That done her wrong
Sister's coming home
Mama don't like the man that done her wrong
And the mirror's gonna tell her
How long she's been gone





Sister's comin' home

Overall Meaning

The song "Sister's Coming Home" by Emmylou Harris is a narrative about a sister who had been away for some time and is now returning home. The opening lines of the song suggest that the sister is going to be allowed to rest and sleep for as long as she wants when she gets home. The repetition of "the whole day long," emphasizes the sister's exhaustion and need for rest after being away for so long.


However, the second verse takes a darker turn as we learn that the sister has been wronged by a man and her mother doesn't like him. The repetition of "that done her wrong" emphasizes the severity of the situation and makes it clear that the man has done something to hurt the sister. The third verse then transitions to the sister's love for dancing, specifically rock and roll, and the joyful language used to describe her movement provides a sharp contrast to the heavy tone of the previous verse. The final verse then returns to the darker theme, as the mirror will show the sister just how long she has been gone.


Overall, the song tells a simple story that is filled with contrasts, from the exhaustion of the sister, to her love of dancing and the darkness of the man who wronged her.


Line by Line Meaning

Sister's comin' home
A woman named Sister is returning home.


Mama gonna let her sleep the whole day long
Sister's mother is planning to let her rest for the entire day.


The whole day long
Sister will be sleeping for the whole day.


Mama don't like the man that done her wrong
Sister's mother dislikes the man who has caused harm to her daughter.


That done her wrong
The man referred to in the previous line has hurt Sister in some way.


Down at the local beer joint
Sister is spending time at a nearby bar.


Dancin' on the hardwood floor
Sister is dancing on the bar's solid wood flooring.


Her jeans fit a little bit tighter
Sister's clothing has become slightly more snug than before.


Than they did before
Her clothes fit more snugly than they previously did.


She likes to move her soul
Sister enjoys engaging in lively, soulful movement.


Sister likes to do it, Lord
Sister enjoys dancing and moving with abandon and spiritual purpose.


And the mirror's gonna tell her
When Sister sees her reflection in the mirror, she will realize how long she has been gone.


How long she's been gone
Sister has been away from home for an extended period of time.


Sister's coming home
The refrain that repeats throughout the song, emphasizing Sister's return.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WILLIE NELSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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