Nina Simone - Sinnerman -

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

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

: The song is an African American traditional spiritual that dates back to the early 20th century. : A notable highlight is the vocal breakdown

: 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. : The recording features Simone on piano and

: The recording features Simone on piano and vocals, Al Schackman and Rudy Stevenson on guitar, Lisle Atkinson on double bass, and Bobby Hamilton on drums.

: 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.

: 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.