… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four different artists who recorded under this name:
1. Sylvia Jane Hutton Kirby (born December 9, 1956), also known mononymously as Sylvia, is an American country music and country pop singer and songwriter. Her biggest hit (a crossover chart topper), was her single "Nobody" in 1982. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 5 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, number 9 on the Cashbox Top 100, and number 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart. The song earned her a gold record certification and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Her other country chart hits include "Drifter" (number one in 1981), "Fallin' in Love", "Tumbleweed" and "Snapshot". She was named Female Vocalist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music for 1982. She is also credited with making the first "concept" music video clip to air on Country Music Television (CMT), with "The Matador".
When her contract with RCA ended, Sylvia took a break from touring and recording to focus on developing as a songwriter. In 1988 and 1989, she guest-hosted TNN's Crook and Chase show and her own Holiday Gourmet cooking special. Sylvia's first independent album, The Real Story, was released in 1996 on her own label, Red Pony Records. In a May 1998 People magazine review, Ralph Novak wrote, "Sylvia always sang with more intensity and resonance than most country singers... and she can still sing a story song better than almost anyone around."
In 2002, she followed with Where in the World, a set that marked the culmination of an 11-year musical collaboration with John Mock. Songwriter Craig Bickhardt contributed the song "Crazy Nightingale". Bickhardt had previously performed with Sylvia from 1984, and wrote the title cut to One Step Closer. Also in 2002, Sylvia released, A Cradle in Bethlehem, her first Christmas album. In 2016, the album, It's All in the Family, was released on Red Pony Records. In 2018, Sylvia released Second Bloom: The Hits Re-Imagined, an album of some of her hits she re-recorded with a more acoustic yet fully produced approach and, in 2022, Sylvia's new album, Nature Child: A Dreamer's Journey, was released on February 22.
2. Sylvia Robinson Vanderpool (May 29, 1935 – September 29, 2011), known mononymously as Sylvia, was an American singer, record producer, and record label executive. Robinson achieved success as a performer on two R&B chart toppers: as half of Mickey & Sylvia with the 1957 single "Love Is Strange", and her solo record "Pillow Talk" (1973). She later became known for her work as founder and CEO of the hip hop label Sugar Hill Records.
Robinson is credited as the driving force behind two landmark singles in the hip hop genre: "Rapper's Delight" (1979) by the Sugarhill Gang, and "The Message" (1982) by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, both of which she produced. At the 11th Annual Rhythm and Blues Awards Gala in 2000, she received a Pioneer Award for her career in singing and for founding Sugarhill Records. Several publications have dubbed her the "Mother of Hip Hop". In 2022, she was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Ahmet Ertegun Award category for being a major influence on the creative development of hip-hop's early successes, and is the first woman to receive the award unaccompanied by another person.
3. Sylvia Vrethammar is a popular vocalist from Sweden who made a big success with an English version of "Y Viva España".
4. Sylvia is also a black/thrash metal band from somewhere around Portland, Oregon, United States. Their current line up is Candy, Andrew, Sean and Reuben. They released a demo entitled 'Lizard Birdman', which is available on their Bandcamp website.
5. Sylvia was a progressive experimental band from Southern California. The band consisted of lead singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer Riz Story, drummer Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), guitarist Sean Murphy and Jon "Juano" Davison (Yes), and dissolved when Hawkins joined Alanis Morissette's band. This led to Story's formation of Anyone in 1995.
6. Sylvia is also the name of a northern soul singer ('It's A Good Life', 1968), possibly the same singer as the one listed as #1 (?).
Bobby's In Vicksburg
Sylvia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such is the fate of Atlanta
In my diary I write these words
Though I can't believe what's happened
The Union troops go marching through,
Like an endless blue river
It's been weeks without any news
Bobby, Bobby's in Vicksburg
Ooo oooo
Bobby, hey, will you ever come home?
Ooo oooo
Bobby, Bobby's in Vicksburg
As the cannons 'round me thunder
The South is going under
And Bobby's in Vicksburg
I searched the names of casualties
For one Bobby P. Parker
It isn't there to my relief
But every list goes longer
Today I gave my wedding ring
To raise money for the fighting
Can help my Bobby more this way
I just pray he knows I'm trying
Bobby, hey, Bobby's in Vicksburg
Ooo oooo
Bobby, oh, will you ever come home?
Ooo oooo
Bobby, hey, Bobby's in Vicksburg
As the cannons 'round me thunder
The South is going under
And Bobby's in Vicksburg
If I could I would get on a horse
And ride, ride, ride
But I'd look at Union troops
On every side
General Grant and general Lee
Why can't you see
What you're doing to me
I can't go to him
He can't get to me
Bobby
Bobby, Bobby
Bobby, hey, Bobby's in Vicksburg
As the cannons 'round me thunder
The South is going under
And Bobby's in
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby's in Vicksburg
Ooo oooo
Bobby, Bobby, will you ever come home?
Ooo oooo
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby's in Vicksburg
Ooo oooo
Bobby, Bobby, will you ever come home?
The lyrics of Sylvia's song "Bobby's In Vicksburg" depict the stories of a woman and her lover named Bobby, who has joined the Confederate Army to fight for the South during the American Civil War. The song starts with the woman looking out of the window at the burning streets of Atlanta and expressing the shock and pain she feels at the recent turn of events.
As the lyrics proceed, the woman searches for news of Bobby, who has been stationed in Vicksburg, a strategic location held by the Confederates on the Mississippi River. She writes about her anxiety at the lack of news about her lover, who may or may not have been killed in action. She ponders the possibility of him never returning home and wonders if she would ever see him again.
To raise money for the fighting, the woman sells her wedding ring despite it being a significant symbol of her relationship with Bobby. She hopes that her efforts will be useful to her lover, who is fighting for the Southern cause.
The lyrics are infused with emotions of longing, despair, and hopelessness, resonating with the impact of a war on the individuals caught up in the events beyond their control.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire burns in the street below
The city of Atlanta is being destroyed by the Union army.
Such is the fate of Atlanta
Atlanta's destruction by the Union army is inevitable.
In my diary I write these words
The singer is documenting her experiences of the Civil War.
Though I can't believe what's happened
The artist is struggling to come to terms with the devastation of war.
The Union troops go marching through,
The Union army is advancing through the South.
Like an endless blue river
The Union army seems unstoppable and never-ending.
It's been weeks without any news
The singer has not received any updates on a loved one in the war.
Am I the only one who remembers
The artist feels alone in remembering her loved one in the war.
Bobby, Bobby's in Vicksburg
The artist's loved one, Bobby, is fighting in the battle of Vicksburg.
As the cannons 'round me thunder
The artist is witnessing the violence and destruction of battle.
The South is going under
The singer fears that the Confederacy is losing the war.
And Bobby's in Vicksburg
The artist is worried about the safety of her loved one in the midst of battle.
I searched the names of casualties
The singer is looking for information about casualties from the battle.
For one Bobby P. Parker
The singer is searching for information about her loved one, Bobby.
It isn't there to my relief
The singer is relieved that her loved one's name is not among the casualties.
But every list goes longer
The artist is aware that casualties from the war continue to grow.
Today I gave my wedding ring
The artist has sold her wedding ring to raise money for the war effort.
To raise money for the fighting
The singer hopes her sacrifice will help her loved one and others in the war.
Can help my Bobby more this way
The singer believes her contribution to the war effort will benefit her loved one.
I just pray he knows I'm trying
The artist hopes her loved one understands her sacrifice and devotion.
If I could I would get on a horse
The artist wishes she could travel to be with her loved one.
And ride, ride, ride
The artist longs to be reunited with her loved one.
But I'd look at Union troops
The singer fears encountering Union soldiers on her journey.
On every side
The artist believes Union troops are surrounding her.
General Grant and general Lee
The singer references the two leaders of the opposing armies.
Why can't you see
The singer doesn't understand why the war is being fought.
What you're doing to me
The singer is a victim of the war's devastation and separation from her loved one.
I can't go to him
The artist feels helpless in her desire to be with her loved one.
He can't get to me
The artist's loved one is unable to return to her.
Bobby, Bobby
The singer's thoughts continue to focus on her loved one, Bobby.
Bobby, hey, Bobby's in Vicksburg
The singer repeats her concern for her loved one in the battle of Vicksburg.
Bobby, oh, will you ever come home?
The artist expresses her longing for her loved one's safe return.
Bobby, Bobby, Bobby's in Vicksburg
The artist's concerns for her loved one continue.
Bobby, Bobby, will you ever come home?
The artist repeats her hope for her loved one's return.
Writer(s): DENNIS MORGAN, RHONDA FLEMING
Contributed by Isabelle J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Eleana Demera
I especially love this song because according to family stories my great great grandmother gave her wedding ring up to help raise money for the war and like in the song she would search the names to make sure he wasn't listed among the casualties. She got sick with a fever however and died so she never knew that he didnt survive the war. They're buried side by side so they're at least back together.
Time Forchange
I played her album everyday in the 80s. I still sing her songs. They are wonderful 😍
meee223
One of my favorite Sylvia songs, too, and it was always a crowd pleaser when done at her shows. One of her best non-singles, as well as You Can't Go Home Again and The Mill Song.
Louis Wendruck
Sylvia told me that this song was based on fact and a true story.
Louis Wendruck
Bobby's in Vicksburg is the best of Sylvia's songs.
Danalynne Johnson
I have all her albums--most of them on cassette. I love this song, too.
Charlotte Hendershot
Danalynne Johnson love her and her voice got to meet her in 1985. love ya sylvia
Louis Wendruck
A great song holds up over time - and Sylvia's "Bobby's In Vicksburg" still sounds fantastic today - and couldn't be better! I hope Sylvia will come and comment on this song someday!
Brent Woods
Love sylvia music ❤
RainyMoonProductions
This is my favorite Sylvia song. When I had a free format radio shift in college I played this song quite frequently. I was really happy when RCA included this song on their 2002 RCA Country Legends: Sylvia CD. Because I previously only had it on vinyl and cassette. I also thanked them, for including it, by playing the song a few times on those internet jukeboxes at local pizza places.