sister
Indigo Girls Lyrics


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Sister I'm heading out of alabama
So you better think fast
The wind is gonna pick me up now
And the rain won't slack
I'm heading down to georgia
So don't lose track
Of where you've been and where you're going now
Who you've seen and what they lack
And why you come undone
Every time you go there
You come undone

Yeah
Yeah

I know your heart's in danger
And so is your life
I said you learn to trust a stranger
And stop and rest for the night
Set your sight up in the headlight
Well the moon won't be enough
(sister)
And light the embers of another
And the night won't won't seem so rough
Sister

Ah
There was a bloody beast of burden
(i wish I was a mother)
On a dark texas road
(with a baby at my breast)
A woman in a family way
(i am just a farmer)
And a car that lost control
(with a milkcow and a mess)
I'm studying the distance
(i wish I was a mother)
Between the blanket and the gun
(with a baby at my breast)
I got ten hours to natchez
(i am just a farmer)
And another ten home
(with a milkcow and a mess)
Well I'm goin' home
Yes

I know your heart's in danger
(sister)
And so is your life
(sister)
I say learn to trust a stranger
(learn to trust)
And stop and rest for the night
Set your sight up in the headlight
Yeah the moon won't be enough
And light the embers of another
And the night won't seem so rough
Sister
Go ahead
I said come on
Ah oh yeah
Ah oh yeah
Ah oh yeah
Ah oh yeah





I said it's trust that brought me here
And trust will bring me home

Overall Meaning

The song "Sister" by Indigo Girls is a tribute to the power of trust and sisterhood. The lyrics talk about heading out of Alabama and traveling to Georgia, and urges the listener to think fast and not lose track of where they've been and where they're going. The musicians sing about trusting strangers, setting sights up in the headlight, and searching for home. The chorus repeats the message of trusting others and taking rest when needed, and it's powerful imagery and harmonies have made the song one of Indigo Girls' most beloved.


The lyrics are carefully crafted to convey a sense of movement, both physical and spiritual. As the singer travels from one place to another, they encounter various obstacles and challenges but find the courage to keep going. The song is a call to all sisters to support and lift one another, to help each other through life's challenges and to celebrate its triumphs. "Sister" is not just a song, but a manifesto of love, trust and resilience.


Line by Line Meaning

Sister I'm heading out of alabama
I am leaving Alabama, so be quick and don't take too long to think.


So you better think fast
Don't delay and be prepared to make quick decisions.


The wind is gonna pick me up now
The wind will take me away from here.


And the rain won't slack
The rain is heavy and not letting up.


I'm heading down to georgia
I am going to Georgia.


So don't lose track
Don't forget about me.


Of where you've been and where you're going now
Remember your past and plan for your future.


Who you've seen and what they lack
Think about the people you have met and what they are missing in their lives.


And why you come undone
Reflect on why you fall apart emotionally when you revisit certain places.


Every time you go there
Whenever you go to those places.


You come undone
You become emotionally unstable.


I know your heart's in danger
I understand that your heart and life are at risk.


And so is your life
Your life is at stake too.


I said you learn to trust a stranger
I told you to trust people you don't know.


And stop and rest for the night
Take breaks and sleep for the night.


Set your sight up in the headlight
Focus on where the headlights are shining.


Well the moon won't be enough
The moon's light won't suffice.


(sister)
Addressing the listener as "sister".


And light the embers of another
And light a fire using the remaining embers of another fire.


And the night won't won't seem so rough
The night won't be so harsh.


Ah
An exclamation to express empathy or understanding.


There was a bloody beast of burden
There was a victim of an accident on the road.


(i wish I was a mother)
A wishful thought about being a mother.


On a dark texas road
On a road in Texas with no streetlights.


(with a baby at my breast)
A thought about having a baby while traveling.


A woman in a family way
A lady pregnant with a baby.


(i am just a farmer)
A thought about being a farmer instead of being on the road.


And a car that lost control
And a car that was out of control.


(with a milkcow and a mess)
A thought about having a cow and a mess on the road.


I'm studying the distance
I am looking at the distance to my destination.


(i wish I was a mother)
A wishful thought about being a mother.


Between the blanket and the gun
The decision between using a blanket or a gun.


(with a baby at my breast)
A thought about having a baby while traveling.


I got ten hours to natchez
I have 10 hours left to reach Natchez.


(i am just a farmer)
A thought about being a farmer instead of being on the road.


And another ten home
And another 10 hours to reach home.


(with a milkcow and a mess)
A thought about having a cow and a mess on the road.


Well I'm goin' home
I'm heading home.


Yes
An affirmative response.


I said it's trust that brought me here
I came here because I trusted someone.


And trust will bring me home
And trust will take me back home.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMY ELIZABETH RAY, EMILY ANN SALIERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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