"Ophelia" is a song written by Robbie Robertson that was first released by The Band on their 1975 album Northern Lights – Southern Cross.

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.

Author Craig Harris refers to her as the singer's old friend, while music critic Nick DeRiso considers her his lover.

[2][4] According to Band biographer Barney Hoskyns, the name Ophelia for the song did not come from Shakespeare's Hamlet but rather from Minnie Pearl's real name.

[1] But Shakespeare scholar Stephen M. Buhler sees some Shakespearean echoes in "Ophelia," particularly related to Othello.

[6] According to The New Rolling Stone Album Guide critic Mark Kemp, "Ophelia" is one of three songs on Northern Lights – Southern Cross, along with "Acadian Driftwood" and "It Makes No Difference," on which "Robertson reclaims his reputation as one of rock's great songwriters.

"[7] Cash Box called it a "funky shuffle in the Band's best found-and-lost woman tradition," and said "Levon Helm's floppy drums kick the piece along, and his vocal is impeccably mournful" and that "Robbie Robertson plays an absolutely steaming guitar solo.

[12] ALO also recorded a version for the bonus disc to the 2007 tribute album Endless Highway: The Music of the Band.