Simone - Sinnerman — Nina

: 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 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. Nina Simone - Sinnerman

: Some critics view the song as an exploration of identity and the "creative destruction" required for personal growth and transformation. : Simone learned the song as a child

: 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. : Some critics view the song as an

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

: 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