================================
"Sister Ray"
================================
album _White Light/White Heat_
(The Velvet Underground, 1968)
written by
Lou Reed/John Cale/
Sterling Morrison/Maureen Tucker
================================
Duck and Sally inside
they're cooking for the down five
Who's staring at Miss Rayon
who's busy licking up her pig pen
I'm searching for my mainline
I said I couldn't hit it sideways
I said I couldn't hit it sideways
oh, just like Sister Ray said
whip it on
Rosie and Miss Rayon
they're busy waiting for her booster
Who just got back from Carolina
she said she didn't like the weather
They're busy waiting for her sailor
who's drinking dressed in pink and leather
He's just here from Alabama
he wants to know a way to earn a dollar
I'm searching for my mainer
I said I couldn't hit it sideways
I couldn't hit it sideways
oh, just like Sister Ray said
play it on
Cecil's got his new piece
he cocks and shoots it between three and four
He aims it at the sailor
shoots him down dead on the floor
Oh, you shouldn't do that
don't you know you'll stain the carpet
Now don't you know you'll stain the carpet
and by the way, have you got a dollar
Oh no man, I haven't got the time-time
too busy sucking on a ding-dong
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
oh, she does just like Sister Ray said
I'm searching for my mainline
I said I cou-cou-cou-couldn't hit it sideways
I cou-cou-cou-cou-cou-couldn't hit it sideways
oh, do it, do it
oh, just-just-just-just-just, just like Sister Ray said ...
Oh
Now who is that knocking
who's knocking at my chamber door
Now could it be the police
they come and take me for a ride-ride
Oh, but I haven't got the time-time
hey-hey-hey, she's busy sucking on my ding-dong
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
oh, now do it just like Sister Ray said
I'm searching for my mainline
I couldn't hit it sideways
I couldn't hit it sideways
Oh now just like
oh just like
oh just like
oh just like
Oh just like
oh just like
Duck and Sally inside, now move it on
cooking for the down five
Who's staring at Miss Rayon
do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, hey
licking up her pig pen
I'm just sea-sea-sea-searching for my mainline
I couldn't hit it sideways
I couldn't hit it sideways
Just like, oh
just like, do it, do it, do it
just like
just like, hey
Just like
Now Rosie and Miss Rayon
they're busy waiting for her booster
She's just back from Carolina
she said she bound be a sailor
I said she haven't got the time-time
you're busy sucking on my ding-dong
You're busy sucking on my ding-dong
now just like Sister Ray said
I'm searching for my mainline
I said that couldn't hit it sideways
Whip it on me Jim
whip it on me Jim
whip it on me Jim
whip it on me Jim
Said I couldn't hit it sideways, oh do it
now just like, just like Sister Ray said
I said now Cecil's got his new piece
he cocks and shoots it bang between three and four
He aims it at the sailor
he shoots him down dead on the floor
Oh, you shouldn't do that
don't you know you'll rip the carpet
don't you know you'll mess the carpet
Oh, she hasn't got the time-time
busy sucking on the ding-dong
She's busy sucking on ding-dong
now just like Sister Ray said
I'm searching for my mainline
Couldn't hit it sideways
Couldn't hit it sideways
Now just like
now just like
now just like
yeah, Sister Ray said, hey, do it, do it
Duck and Sally inside
they're busy cooking for the down five, ah
Who's staring at Miss Rayon
who's busy licking up her pig pen
I'm busy searching for my mainline
I said I couldn't hit it sideways
I said I couldn't hit it sideways
now just like
Now just like
I said, oh, oh, just like
Am-phe-phe-phe-phe-phe-phe-phe-phe-phe-phe-phetamine
* all the strings downtuned a whole-tone
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
intro {A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D}
{A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D}
{A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D} (Duck and Sally inside ...)
{A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D} (Who's staring at Miss Rayon ...)
{A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D} (I'm searching for my mainline ...)
{A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D} (I said I couldn't hit it ...)
guitar {A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D}
{A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D}
{A}{A/G.D}
....
ending {A}{A}{A}{A}
{A}{A}{A}{A}
{A}{A}{A}{A}
{A}{A}{A}{A}
....
---------------------------------------------------------------------
* chords for standard-tuning
intro {G}{G/F.C}{G}{G/F.C}
{G}{G/F.C}{G}{G/F.C}
{G}{G/F.C}{G}{G/F.C} (Duck and Sally inside ...)
{G}{G/F.C}{G}{G/F.C} (Who's staring at Miss Rayon ...)
{G}{G/F.C}{G}{G/F.C} (I'm searching for my mainline ...)
{G}{G/F.C}{G}{G/F.C} (I said I couldn't hit it ...)
guitar {G}{G/F.C}{G}{G/F.C}
{G}{G/F.C}{G}{G/F.C}
{G}{G/F.C}
....
ending {G}{G}{G}{G}
{G}{G}{G}{G}
{G}{G}{G}{G}
{G}{G}{G}{G}
....
=======================
"Some Kinda Love" /
"Sister Ray"
=======================
album _Live In Italy_
(Lou Reed, 1984)
Sep 07 (or 10), 1983
Verona (or Rome), Italy
=======================
* for "Some Kinda Love" lyrics and chords,
see "some_kinda_love.html"
Duck and Sally inside
they took her forty down five
Who's laying in the graveyard
she's licking up her pig pen
Oh, you shouldn't do that
don't you know you'll stain the carpet
Oh man, don't you know you'll stain the carpet
ain't that just like Sister Ray said
I'm searching for my mainline
Oh babe, I couldn't hit it sideways
Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah, I couldn't hit it, hit it sideways
Then I, woh-oh, not that just like Sister Ray said
Now Rosie's got a new piece
She cocks and shoots it bang between three and four
Oh, she aims it at the sailor
shoots her down dead on the floor
You shouldn't do that
now don't you know you'll stain the carpet
No baby, don't you know you'll stain the carpet
and by the way you got a dollar
I'm searching for my mainline
'Cause, baby-baby, hit it, oh, sideways
Hey baby now, I couldn't hit it sideways
Now waiting Tuesday
oh baby, it's like Sister Ray said
give it to me, babe
Who is that knocking
Who's knocking on my chamber door
Could it be the police
They come and take me for a ride
I haven't got the time-time
She's, ah baby, sucking on my ding-dong
she's sucking on my ding-dong
Oh, just like Sister Ray said
But I'm searching for my mainline
I couldn't hit it, oh, side, oh-oh, sideways
I said I couldn't, I couldn't
I couldn't hit it sideways
Now just like
baby, just like that
Baby, just like now
'cause just like Sister Ray
["Some Kinda Love" ending: medley]
....
intro {E}{E}{E}{E}
{E}{E}{E}{E}
{E}{E}{E}{E}
{E}{E}{E}{E}
{E}{E}{E}{E}
{E}{E}{E}{E}
{E}{E}{E}{E} (Duck and Sally inside ...)
{E}{E}{E}{E} (Who's laying in the graveyard ...)
{E}{E}{E}{E} (Oh, you shouldn't do that ...)
{E}{E}{E}{E} (- man, don't you know you'll stain ...)
{E}{E}{E}{E} (I'm searching for my mainline ...)
{E}{E}{E}{E} (Oh babe, I couldn't hit it sideways ...)
{E}{E}{E}{E} (- yeah-yeah-yeah, I couldn't hit it ...)
{E}{E}{E}{E} (- woh-oh, not that just like Sister ...)
guitar {E}{E}{E}{E}
{E}{E}{E}{E}
{E}{E}{E}{E}
{E}{E}{E}{E}
....
....
==================================================
"Sister Ray"
(The Family Dog, San Francisco, 11-7-69)
==================================================
box set _Bootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine Tapes_
(The Velvet Underground, 2001) disc 1
Nov 07, 1969
The Family Dog, San Francisco, California
==================================================
This is a story
'bout somebody named Duck and Sally and Cecil
Miss Rayon and Miss Rosie
And other assorted friends of ours
And the late dearly lamented
sadly deceased and quite demented Sister Ray
Duck and Sally inside
They're cooking for the down five
Who's staring at Miss Rayon
She's busy licking up her pig pen
Me, I'm searching for my mainline
Said I couldn't-couldn't-couldn't hit it sideways
Said that I couldn't hit it sideways, Jim
Oh, just like Sister Ray said
You know that Rosie and Miss Rayon
Busy waiting for her booster
Just got here from Carolina
And she's all dressed in pink and leather
You know she says that she bound be a sailor
Who's just got here from Alabama
She's got here from Alabama
And she says that she dislike the weather
And she says she wants to know had a earning dollar
I says, hey baby I haven't got the time-time
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
Oh now whip it on me Jim now
whip it on me Jim now
whip it on me Jim now
whip it on me Jim now
Just like Sister Ray said
You know I'm searching for my mainline
I said that couldn't hit it sideways
I said that couldn't hit it sideways
Just like Sister Ray said
You know Cecil's got his new piece
Cocks and shoots it bang between three and four
He aims it at the sailor
He shoots him down dead on the floor
like this
Oh, you shouldn't do that
You want it again
Did three times I ...... once
You got ...... like this
Write down the new ........
Oh, you shouldn't do that
Oh, don't you know you gonna mess up the carpet
You don't you know you gonna mess up the carpet
Hey baby, have you got a dollar
No man, I haven't got the time-time
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
Just like Sister Ray said
Hey, I'm searching for my mainline
I said that I couldn't hit it sideways
Said I couldn't hit it sideways
Just like Sister Ray said, alright
Who is that knocking
Knocking on my chamber door
Could it be the police
They come and take me for a ride-ride
Oh, but I haven't got the time
I'm searching for my mainline
Couldn't hit it sideways
Couldn't hit it sideways
Just like Sister Ray said
* all the strings downtuned a whole-tone
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
* chord progression pattern #1 (basic)
{A}{A}{A}{A}
* chord progression pattern #2
{A}{D}{A}{D}
* chord progression pattern #3
{A/D}{A/D}{A/D}{A/D}
* chord progression pattern #4
{A}{C}{D/C}{A}
and
{A}{C}{D/C.G}{A}
* chord progression pattern #5
("Who is that knocking, Knocking at my chamber door")
{G}{G}{A}{A}
* riff on "Cecil" part (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
{A} {A}
*1d -------------------------5-x----5-x-x--
*2A -------------------------5-x--8-5-x-x--
*3F ----6---6----6---4-----6---------------
*4C ---------------------------------------
*5G --7---7----7---5----/7-----------------
*6D ---------------------------------------
{A} {A}
-------------------------5-x----5-x-x--
-------------------------5-x--8-5-x-x--
----6---6----5---4--------------------- ...
-----------------------7---------------
--7---7----6---5-----0-----------------
---------------------------------------
*** please note ***
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
v - vibrato
^ - harmonics
==================================================
"Sister Ray"
(The Matrix, San Francisco, 12-03-69)
==================================================
box set _Bootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine Tapes_
(The Velvet Underground, 2001) disc 2
Dec 03, 1969
The Family Dog, San Francisco, California
==================================================
Duck and Sally inside
You know they're cooking for the down five
Who's staring at Miss Rayon
She's busy licking up her pig pen
Me, I'm searching for my mainline
I said that I couldn't hit it sideways
I said that I couldn't oh hit it, hit it, hit it sideways
Ooohhh, just like Sister Ray says
Now Rosie and Miss Rayon
They're busy waiting for her booster
Who just got here from Alabama
And then she says that she doesn't like the weather
And he wants to know had a earning dollar
He's just got here from Carolina
And he's all dressed in pink and leather
I says I haven't got the time-time
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
Oh, just like Sister Ray says, ah
I'm searching for my mainline
I said that I couldn't hit it sideways
I says that I couldn't hit it sideways
Now ain't that just like, ah
Oh and just like, ah
Sister Ray says
Cecil's got his new piece
He cocks and shoots it bang between three and four
He aims it at the sailor
And he shoots him down dead on the floor
looks like this
Oh, you shouldn't do that
Don't you know you gonna mess up the carpet
Now don't you know you gonna mess up the carpet
And by the way, have you got a dollar
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
Now ain't that just like Sister Ray says
Who is that knocking
Oh, who's knocking on my chamber door
Could it be the police
They take me for a ride-ride
Oh, but I haven't got the time-time
Oh sweet mam
Oh sweet mama, ooohhh baby
Ooohhh baby
Ooohhh baby
Oh-wheee whip it on me Jim now
whip it on me Jim now
whip it on me Jim now
whip it on me Jim now
Whip it on me Jim now
whip it on me Jim now
Could it be the police
Ooohhh, they take me for a ride-ride-ride-
ride-ride-ride-ride-
ride-ride-ride-ride-
ride-ride-ride-ride-
ride-ride-ride-ride-
ride-ride-ride-ride-
ride
I'm searching for my mainline
I says that cou-cou-couldn't hit it sideways, oh
Ooohhh
I says that couldn't hit it
side-side-side-side-side-side-side ways
Hey just like
Hey just like, ah
Si-Si-Si-Sister Ray says
Duck and Sally inside
Woh, they're cooking for the down five
Who's staring at Miss Rayon
Ooohhh, she's licking up her pig pen
Now Rosie and Miss Rayon
You know that they're all waiting for her booster
Watch out, just got back from Alabama
And she's all, all dressed in, she's all
all dressed in, she's all
All dressed in pink and leather
And then she bound be a sailor
Who are just come back
Just come back from Carolina
And wants to know had a earning dollar
* all the strings downtuned a whole-tone
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
* chord progression pattern #1 (basic)
{A}{A}{A}{A}
* chord progression pattern #2
{A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D}
* chord progression pattern #3
{A/D}{A/D}{A/D}{A/D}
* chord progression pattern #4
{A}{D}{A}{D}
* chord progression pattern #5
{A.G#/A}{A.G#/A}{A.G#/A}{A.G#/A}
* chord progression pattern #6
{A.A#/A.G#}{A.A#/A.G#}{A.A#/A.G#}{A.A#/A.G#}
* chord progression pattern #7
{A}{A}{A}{A.G/G.G#}
* chord progression pattern #8
{A}{A.C/C}{G}{G.D/D}
* chord progression pattern #9
{A/C}{G/D}{A/C}{G/D}
* chord progression pattern #10
{A}{C}{D/C}{A}
and
{A}{C}{D/C.G}{A}
* chord progression pattern #11 (ending)
{A7}{A7}{A7}{A7}
* riff on "Cecil" part (all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
{A} {A}
*1d ---------------------------------------------------
*2A ------------------8h10p8-x-7h8p7-x-5h7p5-x-----5---
*3F -------------------------------------------5h6-----
*4C ---------------------------------------------------
*5G ---------------------------------------------------
*6D ---------------------------------------------------
{A} {A}
---------------------------------------------------
------------------8h10p8-x-7h8p7-x-5h7p5-x-----5---
-------------------------------------------5h6----- ...
--7-x----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
*** please note ***
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
v - vibrato
^ - harmonics
==================================================
"Sister Ray" /
"Foggy Notion"
(Washington University, St. Louis, 5-11-69)
==================================================
box set _Bootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine Tapes_
(The Velvet Underground, 2001) disc 3
May 11, 1969
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
==================================================
* for "Foggy Notion" lyrics and chords, see "foggy_notion.html"
This is gonna go on for a while
This is a story about
a person we know in New York
And her name is Sister Ray
A very, very good friend of ours
Sister Ray has a very peculiar occupation
And because of that has certain, occupational hazards
And so this song's about what happens down in the street
Which I'm sure you're all familiar with
There are five characters in this song
Duck, Sally, Cecil, a sailor, a booster
and Sister Ray
Down on the Lower East Side
Just sitting around
Gettin' it on
Gettin' it together
Duck and Sally inside
They're cookin' for the down five
Who's staring at Miss Rayon
Who's licking up her pig pen
Just licking up her pig pen
Now Rosie and Miss Rayon
They're busy waiting for her booster
Who just got here from Carolina
She said she bound be a sailor
Who's all dressed in pink and leather, ooohhh baby
Oh, just got here from Alabama
She said she didn't like the weather
Wants to know had a earning dollar
And said, hey baby, I haven't got the time-time
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong, Jim
Ooohhh, now just like Sister Ray said
I'm searching for my mainline
I said I couldn't hit it sideways
I said I couldn't hit it sideways
Oh, just like Sister Ray said
play it on
Cecil's got his new piece
He cocks and shoots it bang between three and four
He aims it at the sailor
He shoots him down dead on the floor
Oh, you shouldn't do that
Don't you know you will mess up the carpet
Don't you know you'll mess up the carpet, ah
By the way, have you got a dollar
Hey baby, I haven't any ........
Hey baby, I haven't .... we got the time-time
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
She's busy sucking on my ding-dong
Ah, just like Sister Ray said
[for "Foggy Notion" lyrics, see "foggy_notion.html"]
Duck and Sally inside
They're cooking for the down five
Who's staring at Miss Rayon
She's busy licking up her pig pen
Who is that knocking
I'm searching for my mainline
Couldn't hit it sideways
Couldn't hit it sideways
Now just like
now just like
just like
Just like Sister Ray said
....... up the carpet
Take me to the ......
Take me to the carpet
........... feel like
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
.....................
* all the strings downtuned a whole-tone
1d ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from e to d)
2A ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from B to A)
3F ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from G to F)
4C ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from D to C)
5G ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from A to G)
6D ----- * downtuned a whole-tone (from E to D)
* chord progression pattern #1 (basic)
{A}{A/G.D}{A}{A/G.D}
* chord progression pattern #2 (basic)
{A}{A}{A}{A}
=============================================
"Sister Ray"
=============================================
album _Psychedelic Sounds From The Gymnasium_
(The Velvet Underground, 2008)
April 1967
The Gymnasium, NYC
=============================================
Duck and Sally inside
searching for the down five
Who's staring at Miss Rayon
who's licking up her pig pen
I'm searching for my mainline
I couldn't hit it sideways
I couldn't hit it sideways
just like Sister Ray says
suck to me
Rosie and Miss Rayon
waiting for her booster
Who's back from Alabama
he dressed in pink and leather
He didn't have the time-time
sucking on his ding-dong
Sucking on his ding-dong
just like Sister Ray said
I'm searching for my mainline
I couldn't hit it sideways
I couldn't hit it sideways
just like Sister Ray says
suck to me
Cecil's got his new piece
he cocks and shoots it between three and four
He aims it at the sailor
.......... down ....... on the floor
Oh, you shouldn't do that
you gonna make me splendid
Can you get 'em off the carpet
hey, have you got a dollar
No, you haven't got the time-time
busy sucking on his ding-dong
He's busy sucking on his ding-dong
just like Sister Ray said
I'm searching for my mainer
I couldn't hit it sideways
Oh, I couldn't hit it sideways
oh, I just like Sister Ray says
hit it to me
I walking by my water
straight back from Carolina
I didn't have a ..........
and I didn't like the weather
Cause I haven't got the time-time
sucking on his ding-dong
Sucking on his ding-dong
just like Sister Ray said
Hey, searching for my mainline
I couldn't hit it sideways
I couldn't hit it sideways
just like Sister Ray said
suck to me
Rosie and Miss Rayon
they're waiting for her booster
Dressed in pink and leather
bound be a sailor
Who hasn't got the time-time
sucking on his ding-dong
Sucking on his ding-dong
just like Sister Ray said
Hey, I'm searching for my mainline
I couldn't hit it sideways
Couldn't hit it sideways
just like Sister Ray said
suck to me
* chords:
same as _White Light/White Heat_ version
They played using down-tuning
(all the strings downtuned a whole-tone)
*********************************************************************
---------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks: Hans De Backer (hans.debacker@student.kuleuven.ac.be)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Duck and Sally" in Sister Ray should be "Doc and Sally".
At least, that's what the Peel Slowly booklet says.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks: Rhapsodist912 (Rhapsodist912@aol.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
On the first disc of the Quine Tapes
the sister ray opening lyrics are as follows:
This is a story about somebody named Duck and Sally, Cecil,
Miss Rosie and Miss Rayon
and other assorted friends of ours,
and the late dearly lamented,
sadly deceased and quite demented Sister Ray
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks: Rhapsodist912 (Rhapsodist912@aol.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
On the version of the Quine Tapes on Disc 3 of Sister Ray
Reed's introduction goes like this:
This is gonna go on for a while,
This is a story about a person we know in New York,
And her name is Sister Ray,
Very, very good friend of ours,
Sister Ray has a very peculiar occupation,
And because of that has certain, occupational hazards,
And so this song's about what happens down in the street,
Which I'm sure you're all familiar with,
There are five characters in this song,
Duck, Sally, Cecil, a sailor, a booster, and Sister Ray,
Down on the Lower East Side,
Just sitting around, gettin' it on,
gettin' it together
---------------------------------------------------------------------
*********************************************************************
transcribed by Shiroh KOUCHI (wildside@mx21.tiki.ne.jp)
http://ww21.tiki.ne.jp/~wildside/
*********************************************************************