Cindy

“In High Water: Songs of the Civil War” by The Nutmeggers

March 29, 2024 • Updated August 30, 2024

A tale of true love and romance, “Cindy,” is a favorite folk song among old-time musicians to this day, with the greatest names in American music having created renditions throughout history, including Johnny Cash, Burl Ives, Ricky Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, and Pete Seeger.

Though the original date of publication is unclear, the first references to “Cindy” appeared in the early 1900s, and John Lomax recorded renditions throughout the early 20th century. The song is thought to have been a popular one during the time of the American Civil War, with one verse from an early African American songbook called “At the Big House” published in 1904, which shared the experience of a soldier during the war.

“I’se gwine down ter Richmond,
I’ll tell you w’a hit’s for:
I’se gwine down ter Richmond,
Fer ter try an’ end dis war.
An’-a you good-by, Cindy, Cindy
Good-by, Cindy Ann;
An’-a you good-by, Cindy, Cindy
I’se gwine ter Rappahan.”

“The Nutmeggers” have recorded on this album the most commonly accepted period lyrics, which tell a compelling & coherent tale.

“You ought to see my Cindy…” the narrator boasts, describing Cindy as the most beautiful girl that he could ever dream of. Though the lyrics can be interpreted a variety of ways, as with all art, through a 19th century lens, it appears that throughout the song, the narrator continually wishes Cindy to go home as she attempts to be intimate with him before they marry. Perhaps Cindy is too young, or the narrator is not ready - but he promises, “I’ll marry you someday.” The narrator continues to describe Cindy’s attempts to woo him: “standing in the door… her feet all over the floor” (bare feet being highly irregular,) “She kissed me and she hugged me, she called me sugar-plum, she threw her arms around me, I thought my time had come.” As the narrator concludes by describing his love, it seems that he has engaged with Cindy in a sense, as he is fully committed to her, stating, “If I can’t have my Cindy, I don’t want no girl at all.” “Cindy,” is certainly one of the most vibrant romantic songs to emerge from the 19th century.

In the Nutmeggers’ recordings featured on “In High Water: Songs of the Civil War,” we hope to do justice to those musicians who came before us, and especially those who gave their all, that we might see “a new birth of freedom.” We seek to honor the spirit and humanity of those brave souls who fought so that this nation might live. This is their music, and these are their stories.

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