4. Can You See Me, Sister? - Tim O'Brien

Can You See Me, Sister?
Songwriter : Tim O'Brien
No Bad Ham Music / Admin by Bluewater Music, ASCAP

Spoken intro:
Some years after the death of his wife, Thomas Jefferson took his slave Sally Hemings as his consort. She had several children by Jefferson, and all those who survived were eventually granted their freedom. One of the younger sons, Madison, corresponded with his older, light skinned sister Harriet, who had married and passed into white Washington society. At some point she stopped returning his letters. This song imagines a chance encounter between the two on a street somewhere.


Can you see me sister, do you remember me
Can you feel my presence, I’m still on my knees
I can see you sister, oh how your life has changed
I’m still here in the shadows, you’re just out of range

Father can you help me now
The chains are gone but I still feel bound
Father please look down on me
Until the day that I feel free


Can you see me sister, in my shabby clothes
My life so different from the one you know
I do not blame you, for we share a name
If my skin was lighter I might do the same

Father can you help me now
The chains are gone but I still feel bound
Father please look down on me
Until the day that I feel free


Bought and sold like cattle
People just like us
Couldn’t look you in the eye
I could be whipped or worse

Mother can you help me now
The chains are gone but I still feel bound
Mother please look down on me
Until the day that I feel free

Father can you help me now
The chains are gone but I still feel bound
Father please look down on me
Until the day that I feel free


Can you see me sister