Nina Simone - Sinnerman Online

Crying to the Lord: Nina Simone's "Sinnerman" - VoegelinView

: A notable highlight is the vocal breakdown where Simone and her band chant "power" in a raw, emotional call-and-response. Meaning and Themes

: While primarily a spiritual, the song is often interpreted as a commentary on the moral turmoil and racial inequality of the 1960s, reflecting Simone's deep involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Nina Simone - Sinnerman

: The lyrics draw heavily from the Book of Exodus and Psalm 78 , depicting a sinner attempting to hide from God’s wrath on Judgment Day. The sinner seeks refuge in "the rock," "the river," and "the sea," only to find no place to hide.

: Simone learned the song as a child from her mother, a Methodist minister, who used it at revival meetings to help people confess their sins. Crying to the Lord: Nina Simone's "Sinnerman" -

: Clocking in at over 10 minutes, the song features dramatic shifts in intensity, including a famous middle section characterized by rhythmic hand-claps and pulsing piano.

: The song is an African American traditional spiritual that dates back to the early 20th century. The sinner seeks refuge in "the rock," "the

: Before recording it for Pastel Blues , Simone often used "Sinnerman" to close her sets in Greenwich Village, intending to "shake people up" so they would leave the club "in pieces". Musical Composition