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.

Sisters Of Mercy Song Words And Chords In G Major

Intro: G-C-G-D   Em-C-G-D (2x)

Oh the (G)sisters of (C)mercy, they (G)are not de(D)parted or (G)gone. -C-G-D
They were (Bm)waiting for (F#m)me when I (Bm)thought that I (F#m)just can't go (D)on. -D-D-D 
And they (C)brought me their (G)comfort and (F)later they (C)brought me this (D)song. -D-D-D
Oh I (G)hope you run (C)into them, (G)you who've been (D)travelling so (G)long. -C-G-D

Yes (G)you who must (C)leave every(G)thing that you (D)cannot con(G)trol. -C-G-D 
It be(Bm)gins with your (F#m)family, but (Bm)soon it comes a(F#m)round to your (D)soul. -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: -D-D-D
When you're (G)not feeling (C)holy, your (G)loneliness (D)says that you've (G)sinned. -C-G-D

Well they (G)lay down be(C)side me, I (G)made my con(D)fession to (G)them. -C-G-D
They (Bm)touched both my (F#m)eyes and (Bm)I touched the (F#m)dew on their (D)hem. -D-D-D
If your (C)life is a (G)leaf that the (F)seasons tear (C)off and con(D)demn  -D-D-D
They will (G)bind you with (C)love that is (G)graceful and (D)green as a (G)stem. -C-G-D

Tune Bridge (optional)
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. -C-G-D
Don't (Bm)turn on the (F#m)lights, you can (Bm)read their ad(F#m)dress by the (D)moon. -D-D-D
And you (C)won't make me (G)jealous if I (F)hear that they (C)sweetened your (D)night: -D-D-D
We weren't (G)lovers like (C)that and be(G)sides it would (D)still be all (G)right, -C-G-D  
Em-C-G-D   G-C-G-D   Em-C-G-D - G

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.

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. 

The sheet music below in G Major can be used for the piano accordion or flute.

Leonard Cohen song Sisters Of Mercy