Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
sister
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
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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
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
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