Sisters Of Mercy lyrics and guitar chords
written by Leonard Cohen. The piano sheet music [ suited to the flute ] along with the tin whistle notes in the key of D are included.This version is by The Chieftains And Sting 4/4 time with capo on second fret. The song is about two women ''Barbara and Lorraine'' [one was Janis Joplin] who he met in a hotel in Canada and an affair Leonard Cohen had with Janis Joplin. The guitar chords are by Marc Fahrbach. This is the only song on the site written by Leonard Cohen and would probably not be here if it wasn't covered by The Chieftains, great version I have to say.
Here is the full song with chords, strumming patterns, and a fingerpicking tab for the first verse.
This song is a waltz, so it's played in 3/4 time (three beats per measure).
🎵 Sisters of Mercy (Chords)
Intro: (G) (C) (G) (D) (Em) (C) (G) (D) (G) (C) (G) (D) (Em) (C) (G) (D)
Oh the (G)sisters of (C)mercy, they (G)are not de(D)parted or (G)gone. (Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
They were (Bm)waiting for (F#m)me when I (Bm)thought that I (F#m)just can't go (D)on. (Hold:
D - D - D - D) And they (C)brought me their (G)comfort and (F)later they (C)brought me this (D)song.
(Hold: D - D - D - D) Oh I (G)hope you run (C)into them, (G)you who've been (D)travelling so (G)long.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
Yes (G)you who must (C)leave every(G)thing that you (D)cannot con(G)trol.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D) It be(Bm)gins with your (F#m)family, but (Bm)soon it comes a(F#m)round to your (D)soul.
(Hold: D - D - D - D) Well I've (C)been where you're (G)hanging, I (F)think I can (C)see how you're (D)pinned:
(Hold: D - D - D - D) When you're (G)not feeling (C)holy, your (G)loneliness (D)says that you've (G)sinned.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
Well they (G)lay down be(C)side me, I (G)made my con(D)fession to (G)them.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D) They (Bm)touched both my (F#m)eyes and (Bm)I touched the (F#m)dew on their (D)hem.
(Hold: D - D - D - D) If your (C)life is a (G)leaf that the (F)seasons tear (C)off and con(D)demn
(Hold: D - D - D - D) They will (G)bind you with (C)love that is (G)graceful and (D)green as a (G)stem.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
Instrumental Bridge (same as intro): (G) (C) (G) (D) (Em) (C) (G) (D) (G) (C) (G) (D) (Em) (C) (G) (D)
When I (G)left they were (C)sleeping, I (G)hope you run (D)into them (G)soon.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D) Don't (Bm)turn on the (F#m)lights, you can (Bm)read their ad(F#m)dress by the (D)moon.
(Hold: D - D - D - D) And you (C)won't make me (G)jealous if I (F)hear that they (C)sweetened your (D)night:
(Hold: D - D - D - D) We weren't (G)lovers like (C)that and be(G)sides it would (D)still be all (G)right.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
🎸 Strumming Patterns (3/4 Time)
Recommended Pattern: Waltz Strum
This is the most common 3/4 pattern and fits the song perfectly. You play the bass note of the chord on the first beat and strum the rest on beats 2 and 3.
Count: 1 - 2 - 3
Pattern: Bass - Down - Up
How to apply it:
G Chord: Hit the 6th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
C Chord: Hit the 5th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
D Chord: Hit the 4th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
Em Chord: Hit the 6th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
Bm Chord: Hit the 5th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
F#m Chord: Hit the 6th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
Simple Alternative Pattern
Count: 1 - 2 - 3
Pattern: Down - Down - Up (Emphasize the first down-strum of each measure).
🎼 Fingerpicking Tab (Verse 1)
Here is a simple 3/4 time fingerpicking pattern for the first verse. Your thumb (P) plays the root note, and your index (I) and middle (M) fingers play the higher strings.
(This tab follows the song's timing: 2 measures of G, 2 of C, 1 of G, 1 of D, 2 of G, then the turnaround.)
"Oh the (G)sisters..." "...of (C)mercy..."
G G C C
e|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------0-----|-----------0-----|-----------1-----|-----------1-----|
G|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|
D|-----0-----------|-----0-----------|-----2-----------|-----2-----------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-3---------------|-3---------------|
E|-3---------------|-3---------------|-----------------|-----------------|
"...they (G)are not de(D)parted or (G)gone."
G D G G
e|-----------------|-----------2-----|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------0-----|-------3---------|-----------0-----|-----------0-----|
G|-------0---------|-----2-----------|-------0---------|-------0---------|
D|-----0-----------|-0---------------|-----0-----------|-----0-----------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3---------------|-----------------|-3---------------|-3---------------|
(Turnaround: -C-G-D-D)
C G D D
e|-----------------|-----------------|-----------2-----|-----------2-----|
B|-----------1-----|-----------0-----|-------3---------|-------3---------|
G|-------0---------|-------0---------|-----2-----------|-----2-----------|
D|-----2-----------|-----0-----------|-0---------------|-0---------------|
A|-3---------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-3---------------|-----------------|-----------------|
This song is a waltz, so it's played in 3/4 time (three beats per measure).
🎵 Sisters of Mercy (Chords)
Intro: (G) (C) (G) (D) (Em) (C) (G) (D) (G) (C) (G) (D) (Em) (C) (G) (D)
Oh the (G)sisters of (C)mercy, they (G)are not de(D)parted or (G)gone. (Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
They were (Bm)waiting for (F#m)me when I (Bm)thought that I (F#m)just can't go (D)on. (Hold:
D - D - D - D) And they (C)brought me their (G)comfort and (F)later they (C)brought me this (D)song.
(Hold: D - D - D - D) Oh I (G)hope you run (C)into them, (G)you who've been (D)travelling so (G)long.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
Yes (G)you who must (C)leave every(G)thing that you (D)cannot con(G)trol.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D) It be(Bm)gins with your (F#m)family, but (Bm)soon it comes a(F#m)round to your (D)soul.
(Hold: D - D - D - D) Well I've (C)been where you're (G)hanging, I (F)think I can (C)see how you're (D)pinned:
(Hold: D - D - D - D) When you're (G)not feeling (C)holy, your (G)loneliness (D)says that you've (G)sinned.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
Well they (G)lay down be(C)side me, I (G)made my con(D)fession to (G)them.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D) They (Bm)touched both my (F#m)eyes and (Bm)I touched the (F#m)dew on their (D)hem.
(Hold: D - D - D - D) If your (C)life is a (G)leaf that the (F)seasons tear (C)off and con(D)demn
(Hold: D - D - D - D) They will (G)bind you with (C)love that is (G)graceful and (D)green as a (G)stem.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
Instrumental Bridge (same as intro): (G) (C) (G) (D) (Em) (C) (G) (D) (G) (C) (G) (D) (Em) (C) (G) (D)
When I (G)left they were (C)sleeping, I (G)hope you run (D)into them (G)soon.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D) Don't (Bm)turn on the (F#m)lights, you can (Bm)read their ad(F#m)dress by the (D)moon.
(Hold: D - D - D - D) And you (C)won't make me (G)jealous if I (F)hear that they (C)sweetened your (D)night:
(Hold: D - D - D - D) We weren't (G)lovers like (C)that and be(G)sides it would (D)still be all (G)right.
(Turnaround: C - G - D - D)
🎸 Strumming Patterns (3/4 Time)
Recommended Pattern: Waltz Strum
This is the most common 3/4 pattern and fits the song perfectly. You play the bass note of the chord on the first beat and strum the rest on beats 2 and 3.
Count: 1 - 2 - 3
Pattern: Bass - Down - Up
How to apply it:
G Chord: Hit the 6th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
C Chord: Hit the 5th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
D Chord: Hit the 4th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
Em Chord: Hit the 6th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
Bm Chord: Hit the 5th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
F#m Chord: Hit the 6th string (Bass) on beat 1, then strum Down-Up.
Simple Alternative Pattern
Count: 1 - 2 - 3
Pattern: Down - Down - Up (Emphasize the first down-strum of each measure).
🎼 Fingerpicking Tab (Verse 1)
Here is a simple 3/4 time fingerpicking pattern for the first verse. Your thumb (P) plays the root note, and your index (I) and middle (M) fingers play the higher strings.
(This tab follows the song's timing: 2 measures of G, 2 of C, 1 of G, 1 of D, 2 of G, then the turnaround.)
"Oh the (G)sisters..." "...of (C)mercy..."
G G C C
e|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------0-----|-----------0-----|-----------1-----|-----------1-----|
G|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|-------0---------|
D|-----0-----------|-----0-----------|-----2-----------|-----2-----------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-3---------------|-3---------------|
E|-3---------------|-3---------------|-----------------|-----------------|
"...they (G)are not de(D)parted or (G)gone."
G D G G
e|-----------------|-----------2-----|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-----------0-----|-------3---------|-----------0-----|-----------0-----|
G|-------0---------|-----2-----------|-------0---------|-------0---------|
D|-----0-----------|-0---------------|-----0-----------|-----0-----------|
A|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-3---------------|-----------------|-3---------------|-3---------------|
(Turnaround: -C-G-D-D)
C G D D
e|-----------------|-----------------|-----------2-----|-----------2-----|
B|-----------1-----|-----------0-----|-------3---------|-------3---------|
G|-------0---------|-------0---------|-----2-----------|-----2-----------|
D|-----2-----------|-----0-----------|-0---------------|-0---------------|
A|-3---------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-3---------------|-----------------|-----------------|
Guitar Chords For The Key Of C
Oh the (C)sisters of (F)mercy, they (C)are not de(G)parted or (C)gone.
They were (Em)waiting for (Bm)me when I (Em)thought that I (Bm)just can't go (G)on.
And they (F)brought me their (C)comfort and (A#)later they (F)brought me this (G)song.
Oh I (C)hope you run (F)into them, (C)you who've been (G)travelling so (C)long.
Yes (C)you who must (F)leave every(C)thing that you (G)cannot con(C)trol.
It be(Em)gins with your (Bm)family, but (Em)soon it comes a(Bm)round to your (G)soul.
Well I've (F)been where you're (C)hanging, I (A#)think I can (F)see how you're (G)pinned:
When you're (C)not feeling (F)holy, your (C)loneliness (G)says that you've (C)sinned.
Oh the (C)sisters of (F)mercy, they (C)are not de(G)parted or (C)gone.
They were (Em)waiting for (Bm)me when I (Em)thought that I (Bm)just can't go (G)on.
And they (F)brought me their (C)comfort and (A#)later they (F)brought me this (G)song.
Oh I (C)hope you run (F)into them, (C)you who've been (G)travelling so (C)long.
Yes (C)you who must (F)leave every(C)thing that you (G)cannot con(C)trol.
It be(Em)gins with your (Bm)family, but (Em)soon it comes a(Bm)round to your (G)soul.
Well I've (F)been where you're (C)hanging, I (A#)think I can (F)see how you're (G)pinned:
When you're (C)not feeling (F)holy, your (C)loneliness (G)says that you've (C)sinned.
Alternative Chords In The Key Of D
Oh the (D)sisters of (G)mercy, they (D)are not de(A)parted or (D)gone.
They were (F#m)waiting for (C#m)me when I (F#m)thought that I (C#m)just can't go (A)on.
And they (G)brought me their (D)comfort and (C)later they (G)brought me this (A)song.
Oh I (D)hope you run (G)into them, (D)you who've been (A)travelling so (D)long.
Yes (D)you who must (G)leave every(D)thing that you (A)cannot con(D)trol.
It be(F#m)gins with your (C#m)family, but (F#m)soon it comes a(C#m)round to your (A)soul.
Well I've (G)been where you're (D)hanging, I (C)think I can (G)see how you're (A)pinned:
When you're (D)not feeling (G)holy, your (D)loneliness (A)says that you've (D)sinned.
Oh the (D)sisters of (G)mercy, they (D)are not de(A)parted or (D)gone.
They were (F#m)waiting for (C#m)me when I (F#m)thought that I (C#m)just can't go (A)on.
And they (G)brought me their (D)comfort and (C)later they (G)brought me this (A)song.
Oh I (D)hope you run (G)into them, (D)you who've been (A)travelling so (D)long.
Yes (D)you who must (G)leave every(D)thing that you (A)cannot con(D)trol.
It be(F#m)gins with your (C#m)family, but (F#m)soon it comes a(C#m)round to your (A)soul.
Well I've (G)been where you're (D)hanging, I (C)think I can (G)see how you're (A)pinned:
When you're (D)not feeling (G)holy, your (D)loneliness (A)says that you've (D)sinned.
The sheet music below in G Major can be used for the piano accordion or flute.
Sisters of mercy nuns
Leonard Cohen song Sisters Of Mercy
