Ophelia was written by Robbie Robertson of The Band. The song was inspired by Shakespearean female characters and discusses loss and return, often interpreted as an allegory to the end of the American outlaw era and the change in the United States in the late 60s and early 70s.
Key: C
Introduction:
C
C/Bb
C
C/Bb
C/G
C/Bb
C
C
E7
A7
D7
Boards on the window, mail by the door, what wd anybody leave so quickly for?
F
G7
C
A7
D7
G7
Ophelia where have you gone wrong?
C
E7
A7
D7
The old n'hood just ain't the same nobody knows just what became of
F
G7
C
C7
D7
E7
Ophelia tell me, what went wrong?
F
C
G7
C
Was it something that somebody said? Mama, I know we broke the rules.
F
C
G7
G#+
Was somebody up against the law? Honey, you know I'd die for you.
C
E7
A7
D7
F
Ashes of laughter, the ghost is clear, why do the best things always disapear,
G7
C
A7
D7
G7
Like Ophelia? Please darken my door.
F
C
G7
C
Was it something that somebody said? Honey, you know we broke the rules.
F
C
G7
G#+
Was somebody up against the law? Honey, you know I'd die for you.
C
E7
A7
D7
They got your number, scared & runnin', but I'm still waitin' for the second