Wilson's repertoire includes both jazz and blues standards and renditions of pop and rock songs. Her contralto voice has been described as bluesy and sultry, and the style of her music ranges from swing to funk to bossa nova. Many of the songs she covers are by artists who usually record in other genres.
Wilson counts the late Miles Davis as one of her greatest influences. In 1989 she performed as the opening act for Davis at the JVC Jazz Festival in Chicago. In 1999 she produced Traveling Miles as a tribute to Davis. The album developed from a series of jazz concerts that she performed at Lincoln Center in November 1997 in Davis's honor and includes three selections based on Davis's own compositions, in which Wilson adapted the original themes.
A Brief Discography
Point of View (1986, JMT)
Days Aweigh (1987, JMT)
Blue Skies (1988, JMT)
Jumpworld (1989, JMT)
She Who Weeps (1990, JMT)
Live (1991, JMT)
After the Beginning Again (1992, JMT)
Dance to the Drums Again (1992, DIW/Columbia)
Blue Light 'til Dawn (1993, Blue Note)
New Moon Daughter (1995, Blue Note)
Rendezvous (with Jacky Terrasson) (1998, Blue Note)
Traveling Miles (1999, Blue Note)
Belly of the Sun (2002, Blue Note)
Glamoured (2003, Blue Note)
Thunderbird (2006, Blue Note)
Loverly (2008, Blue Note)
Silver Pony (2010, Blue Note)
Another Country (2012, eOne)
Official website: www.cassandrawilson.com
Darkness On The Delta
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the time my heart is light
When it's darkness on the delta
Let me linger in the shelter of the night
Fields of cotton all around me
Darkies singin' sweet and low
Lord, I'm lucky that you found me
Lounging on the levee
Listenin' to the nightingales way up above
Laughter on the levee
No one's heart is heavy
All God's children got someone to love
When it's darkness on the delta
Only heaven is in sight
When it's darkness on the delta
Let me linger in the shelter of the night
In Cassandra Wilson's song "Darkness on the Delta," the lyrics express a sense of comfort and relaxation that comes with the darkness of night. The singer finds solace in the obscurity of evening, and this is seen in the lines "When it's darkness on the delta, that's the time my heart is light. When it's darkness on the delta, let me linger in the shelter of the night." The Delta is a region in Mississippi, and the darkness that falls over it at night provides a haven for the singer. The mention of the muddy Mississippi waters and fields of cotton that surround the singer indicates that they are likely in rural Mississippi.
The song goes on to describe the peace of the night, with darkies singing sweetly and laughter on the levee. There is a sense of community and togetherness in the lines "All God's children got someone to love." Here, the singer is indicating that despite the oppressive and discriminatory environment of the time, there is still a sense of belonging and love present. The singer seeks comfort in the darkness, as it brings a sense of calm and allows them to forget their troubles.
Line by Line Meaning
When it's darkness on the delta
I find solace in the night when the delta is dark.
That's the time my heart is light
During these dark moments, my heart is uplifted and free.
When it's darkness on the delta
The delta is dark and gloomy.
Let me linger in the shelter of the night
I seek comfort in the safety and warmth of the night.
Fields of cotton all around me
There are vast fields of cotton surrounding me.
Darkies singin' sweet and low
The African Americans are singing beautiful and soothing melodies.
Lord, I'm lucky that you found me
I feel grateful that I was brought here to this place of comfort.
Where the muddy Mississippi waters flow
I am in a place where the muddy Mississippi river flows.
Lounging on the levee
I am relaxing on the levee.
Listenin' to the nightingales way up above
I am listening to the nightingales singing above me.
Laughter on the levee
There is joy and laughter on the levee.
No one's heart is heavy
No one's heart is burdened with worries or sorrows.
All God's children got someone to love
Everyone has a person to love and cares for them.
When it's darkness on the delta
The darkness covers and blankets everything on the delta.
Only heaven is in sight
There is nothing but the vastness of heaven to see.
When it's darkness on the delta
The delta is dark and foreboding.
Let me linger in the shelter of the night
Allow me to stay in the refuge and protection of the night.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JERRY LEVINSON, AL J NEIBURG, MARTY SYMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind