Caitlin Canty (born 24 January 1982 in Vermont, United States) is an Americ… Read Full Bio ↴Caitlin Canty (born 24 January 1982 in Vermont, United States) is an American singer/songwriter.

A New York City transplant, the roving singer/songwriter spends most of her time in a red Volvo, zipping around the Northeast and delivering her soulful songs with an old Recording King guitar and a husky alto. Members of Cold Satellite, Darlingside, Rusty Belle, Session Americana, and Josh Ritter/Ray LaMontagne bands have joined Canty on the road and on her records.

She has released two full-length albums and two EPs, most recently GOLDEN HOUR (2012), a gently produced Western-tinged Americana album, recorded mostly live in Maine in the winter. Her duo with Peter Bradley Adams, DOWN LIKE SILVER, released its lush debut EP in 2011 and continues to release singles, including Light That Match (2013).

Canty cut her teeth working at the Artists Den in live music production and singing backing vocals. She grew up playing soccer, the trombone, and singing in the choir. She earned a degree in Biology from Williams College.

Southern Man
Caitlin Canty Lyrics

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Southern man in a northern land
You know where to put your hands
When we dance
Call me darlin'
You're a hard man to understand
Southern Man

Swing me 'round to an old time din

Hold me close with two strong hands
All my plans
Don't mean nothin'
You're a hard man to withstand
Southern Man

Workin' man with calloused hands
Gentler than a gentleman
Hold me tight
The world is put right
You're a good man to stand by
Man of mine

I can let my hair down
Let my hair down
Let my hair down

I can let my hair down
Let my hair down
Let my hair down

Southern man in a northern land
You know where to put your hands
When we dance
Hold me so tight

You're a good man to stand by
Man of mine

Overall Meaning

"Caitlin Canty's" song "Southern Man" is a love song between the singer and the Southern man who may find himself in unfamiliar northern territory. The song has a strong southern flavor and the Southern man's manners and charm seem to put him at odds with the people around him. Being comfortable with his culture, the Southern man takes the lead, and as a result, the singer can let her hair down, relax and let him guide her. The opening line, "Southern man in a northern land," highlights the main theme of the song, which is the southern man's presence in a northern territory, and the disconnect it creates between him and the people around him.

The singer describes the Southern man's dance moves, which make her feel comfortable and safe enough to let down her guard. The Southern man is gentle, but still has the strength of a working man. As a result, he is both physically and emotionally strong, which makes him comforting and reliable to the singer who refers to him as "Man of mine" in the end. The sense of trust the singer has for him is displayed by the phrase, "You're a good man to stand by." The final verse brings the song to a close, accentuating the importance of the Southern man's presence in the singer's life, reminding us that in a world rife with uncertainty, the Southern man is trustworthy and steadfast.

Line by Line Meaning

Southern man in a northern land
A man from the South who finds himself in a place that is different culturally and geographically from where he is originally from.

You know where to put your hands
You are familiar with the way of dancing that we do here, and you know exactly how to lead me in this dance.

When we dance
Whenever we are dancing together, which is one of the moments of our bonding.

Call me darlin'
An endearing term of affection that you call me, which makes me feel cherished and loved by you.

You're a hard man to understand
You are someone who is not easily understood by everyone, and it takes time to know you deeply.

Swing me 'round to an old time din
Spin me around while we dance to the old-time music played in the background.

Hold me close with two strong hands
Embrace me with firm and secure arms, which makes me feel safe and protected.

All my plans
All the plans and worries that I had before meeting you.

Don't mean nothin'
All those worries vanished when I met you because you showed me a better way to live.

You're a hard man to withstand
It is difficult to resist you because you are someone who is attractive both physically and emotionally.

Workin' man with calloused hands
You are someone who works with their hands, and as a result, your hands have become tough and rough from the many years of hard work.

Gentler than a gentleman
Despite your tough exterior, you have a kind and gentle heart, which makes you very endearing.

Hold me tight
Embrace me tightly, which gives me a sense of security and love.

The world is put right
When I am in your arms, it feels like all the chaos and problems in the world disappear, and everything is just right.

You're a good man to stand by
You are a person I can always count on to be there for me, no matter what happens.

Man of mine
An endearing term of affection that you call me, which means that you consider me your own.

I can let my hair down
I can relax and be myself around you, and I don't have to be self-conscious or worried about what you will think of me.

Southern man in a northern land
Repeating the opening line of the song.

Hold me so tight
Repeating the line from earlier in the song, emphasizing that this is a deep and true connection.

You're a good man to stand by
Repeating the line from earlier in the song, emphasizing that this is a partnership that is solid and enduring.

Man of mine
Repeating the line from earlier in the song.

Contributed by Alaina C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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