"Cindy" ("Cindy, Cindy") is a popular American folk song. According to John Lomax, the song originated in North Carolina. In the early and middle 20th century, "Cindy" was included in the songbooks used in many elementary school music programs as an example of folk music. One of the earliest versions of "Cindy" is found in Anne Virginia Culbertson's collection of Negro folktales (At the Big House, where Aunt Nancy and Aunt 'Phrony Held Forth on the Animal Folks, Bobbs-Merrill, 1904) where one of her characters, Tim, "sang a plantation song named 'Cindy Ann'," the first verse and refrain of which are:
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As with many folk songs, each singer was free to add verses, and many did. In addition, as Byron Arnold and Bob Halli noted in An Alabama Songbook, performers could swap verses with those of other songs, including "Old Joe Clark" and "Boil Them Cabbage Down".
The tune is taken from the spiritual The Gospel Train, also known as "Get on Board Little Children".
Versions
Benjamin Weisman, Dolores Fuller and Fred Wise wrote a version of "Cindy" called "Cindy, Cindy". This version is the familiar one recorded by such performers as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ricky Nelson, Warren Zevon, Nick Cave (in a duet with Johnny Cash), and others. Dr. Mack Wilberg's choral arrangement of the piece was written for four-hand piano, double eight-part choirs, a string bass, xylophone, and a score of quintessential Americana instruments to supplement the melody during the arrangement's hoedown section. This arrangement is available for any choir to learn and perform, although Wilberg also wrote a special arrangement to be performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The choral parts are the same, but the accompaniment has been rewritten for full orchestra (specifically the Orchestra at Temple Square). Robert Plant featured an arrangement titled "Cindy, I'll Marry You Someday" on his 2010 album Band of Joy.
Some of the folk song verses
You ought to see my Cindy She lives way down South And she's so sweet the honey bees All swarm around her mouth°Refrain:°
Git along home Cindy, Cindy Git along home Cindy, Cindy Git along home Cindy, Cindy I'll marry you some day—————
The first time that I saw her She was standing in the door - Her shoes and stockings in her hand Her feet all over the floor (Refrain)——————————————
I wish I was an apple Hanging on a tree And every time my Cindy'd pass She'd take a bite of me (Refrain)——————————————
I wish I had a nickel I wish I had a dime I wish I had my Cindy gal To love me all the time (Refrain)——————————————
She took me to her parlour She cooled me with her fan She swore I was the prettiest thing In the shape of mortal man (Refrain)——————————————
Now Cindy's got religion She's had it once before But when she hears the banjo play She's the first one on the floor (Refrain)In popular culture
Van Johnson sings part of it in the 1956 movie Miracle in the Rain.
The song is performed in the 1957 episode of Maverick, "Hostage" by Don Durant.
The song is performed in the 1959 John Wayne movie Rio Bravo. It is performed by Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Walter Brennan.
Andy Griffith sings this song in season 3 episode 10 "Opie's Rival" of The Andy Griffith Show 1962.
On the "Lawrence Welk Show", episode: My blue heaven, Dick Dale and the Lennon Sisters perform this song. (1964)