Orphan Girl

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at the Austin City Limits Festival 2008

Gillian Welch is one of America’s most popular contemporary singer/songwriters. Though she mostly performs in the Americana or Bluegrass spotlight, many of her tunes have a particularly Old Time simplicity. Other tunes are bluesy and dark. Welch is tuned in to a wide variety of musical streams of thought.

Orphan Girl came to our attention via Emmylou Harris who recorded it on her CD Wrecking Ball in 1997. It’s a song of faith and hope for those who feel alone in this world. It’s a standard for the modern Folkslinger.

You can play this song in Bluegrass, Folk and Gospel circles.

RIGHT-CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LYRICS WITH CHORD CHART in G

Here’s the original recording by Gillian Welch:

Tim and Molly O’Brien recorded a cool duet version of it:

Crooked Still recorded this upbeat version:

Orphan Girl

Written by Gillian Welch

1
I am an orphan on God’s highway
But I’ll share my troubles if you go my way
I have no mother, no father
No sister, no brother
I am an orphan girl

2
I have had friendships pure and golden
But the ties of kinship I have not known them
I have no mother, no father
No sister, no brother
I am an orphan girl

3
But when He calls me I will be able
To meet my family at God’s table
I’ll meet my mother, my father
My sister, my brother
No more an orphan girl

4
Blessed Savior, make me willing
And walk beside me til I’m with them
Be my mother, my father
My sister, my brother
I am an orphan girl