Sinner Man, also known as Oppressor Man and Downpressor Man, is a traditional African American spiritual. It has been recorded by Les Baxter, the Swan Silvertones, the Weavers, Nina Simone and, most recently, as ska and reggae versions by Peter Tosh and The Wailers.
Run to the Rock | Peter Kun Frary
Sinner Man Musings
The lyrics of Sinner Man describe an evil doer attempting to hide from God's wrath during the tribulation and coming divine judgment. Here's the first verse:
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to? Sinner man where you gonna run to? Where you gonna run to? All on that day.
Study Tips
The guitar 1 part of Sinner Man uses notes in the fifth position. If you're unfamiliar with the fifth position, review the New Notes section several pages back.
Vamp with Rests
The vamp (introduction) uses only guitar 2 and 3. The rest symbols indicate that guitar 1 is silent during the vamp. Guitar 1 enters on beat 1 in the fifth measure. To enter on time, guitar 1 needs to count 1-2-3-4 four times. Guitar 2 also has rests in the vamp but enters on beat 2 of the third complete measure. Need a review of rest symbols? Study the basics here.
Play Sinner Man with a moderate or faster reggae (Jamaican) tempo and feel. In the recording, I play the repeated section three times and embellish the melody during the second and third repeats. The recording of the guitar 3-part is played on a bass guitar and thus sounds an octave lower than written.
Learn your part before rehearsing in class with your ensemble partners. To get used to the sound of different parts while you play, practice with the audio track.
Sinner Man Musings
Study Tips
Vamp with Rests
Listen to the Track
