Ophelia The Band

Ophelia Album: Northern Lights – Southern Cross (1975)
by The Band

Ophelia is a character in William Shakespeare's drama Hamlet (1599–1601). She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet, who, due to Hamlet's actions, ends up in a state of madness that ultimately leads to her drowning.

Along with Queen Gertrude, Ophelia is one of only two female characters in the original play.

Like most characters in Hamlet, Ophelia's name is not Danish. It first appeared in Jacopo Sannazaro's 1504 poem Arcadia (as Ofelia)

Ophelia was very obedient to her father, and well-loved by many characters. She was very sweet to everyone and had an innocent personality. However, she was very compliant and did everything her father asked of her. When he told her to stop seeing Hamlet, she did so. And when he told her to set up a meeting so that Polonius and Claudius could spy on him, she did so. Ophelia was a foil to Hamlet and Laertes, contrasting and inspiring their behavior.

Ophelia often appears in various cultural contexts, including literature, music, film and television. A moon of Uranus is named after Ophelia. Robert Schumann in 'Herzeleid' from 'Sechs Gesänge' (opus 107 nr 1; 1852) puts the poem of Titus Ullrich to music, which is dedicated to the figure of Ophelia, ending with her name sung twice. A foreboding image of Kirsten Dunst in the opening of "Melancholia" (2011) suggests Ophelia.

"Ophelia" is a song written by Robbie Robertson that was first released by The Band on their 1975 album Northern Lights – Southern Cross. It was the lead single from the album. It has also appeared on several of the group's live and compilation albums, and has been covered by such artists as Vince Gill and My Morning Jacket.

My Morning Jacket covered "Ophelia" on the 2013 tribute album Love for Levon. Vince Gill covered the song on the soundtrack to the 1994 film Maverick. ALO also recorded a version for the bonus disc to the 2007 tribute album Endless Highway: The Music of The Band.

"Ophelia" was one of the songs performed during the first (and so far only) live performance by Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem at the Outside Lands Festival in 2016.

"Ophelia" was also recorded by Texas singer/songwriter Randy Brown and released on his 2007 album Hard Face to Face.

"Ophelia" is featured on The Gibson Brothers (bluegrass duo)’ 2006 album Long Way Back Home.

Widespread Panic covers the song regularly.

Rick Danko – bass guitar
Levon Helm – lead vocals, drums
Garth Hudson – Lowrey organ, synthesizer, brass, woodwinds
Richard Manuel – Hammond organ, backing vocals
Robbie Robertson – electric guitar

Ophelia
The Band
Written by: Robbie Robertson
Album: Northern Lights – Southern Cross
1975

Boards on the window, mail by the door
What would anybody leave so quickly for?
Ophelia
Mmm, where have you gone?

The old neighborhood just ain't the same
Nobody knows just what it became
Ophelia
Tell me, what went wrong

Was it something that somebody said?
Mama, I know we broke the rule
Was somebody up against the law?
Honey, you know I'd die for you

Ashes of laughter, the coast is clear
Why do the best things always disappear?
Like Ophelia
Please, knock on my door

Was it something that somebody said?
Honey, you know we broke the rules
Was somebody up against the law?
Honey, you know I'd die for you

They got your number, scared and runnin'
But I'm still waiting for the second coming
Of Ophelia
Mmm-hmm, come back home
Mmm-hmm