Best known for his wry humor, Snider has been a fixture on the Americana, alt-country, and folk scene since his debut on MCA, entitled Songs for the Daily Planet, named for the bar where Snider used to play regularly in Memphis. On that album were the minor hits "Talkin' Seattle Grunge Rock Blues", a folk song about the early '90's grunge scene, featuring a band that "refused to play", and "Alright Guy", which later became the title cut of Gary Allan's 2001 album.
He released two more albums for MCA, Step Right Up and Viva Satellite, the latter often sparking colorful debate amongst fans for its comparisons to Tom Petty. He moved to John Prine's Oh Boy Records where he made Happy to Be Here, New Connection, Near Truths and Hotel Rooms, and East Nashville Skyline. That Was Me: The Best of Todd Snider 1994–1998 was released on the Hip-O label in August 2005.
Todd Snider's next studio album, The Devil You Know, was released in August 2006. It marked Snider's return to a major label, as he is now recording for New Door Records, a subsidiary of Universal Records.
The Devil You Know was named to several critics' year-end "best" lists, including a No. 33 ranking in Rolling Stone magazine's top 50 albums of the year, a No. 25 ranking by No Depression magazine, and No. 14 by Blender magazine.
Snider's songs "Late Last Night" and "I Believe You" have been recorded by the Oklahoma country-rock band Cross Canadian Ragweed. He co-wrote the song "Barbie Doll" with country star Jack Ingram.
Snider's new album, Peace Queer, is set to be released on October 14th, 2008, and will be available as a free download from Oct. 11 to Oct. 31 at http://www.toddsnider.net/store/product/1/Peace-Queer .
The Ballad Of Cape Henry
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can?t say I?m sorry; I volunteered for what I done.
We trained and we waited; we would not be outdone.
Then one day six battleships came out of the rising sun.
So we all manned our stations. We passed a jug of wine.
We waited with patience; we waited for a sign.
First thunder, then lightning, then the ringing in my ears,
Chorus:
Cape Henry, Cape Henry, the battlefield?s on fire
With water, white water with those flames climbing higher
We fired our cannon at least two hours or more
Cape Henry, Cape Henry off of that old Virginia shore
Our deck was in tatters. That smoke was thick and Black.
For each shot they fired we fired two right back.
And then I felt my shoulder, and then something knocked me down.
Yeah, the last thing I remember was that water all around.
Chorus
So, I woke up in Richmond with a medal on my chest.
And I know that I earned it ?cause I know that I did my best.
We did lose that battle, but I?d hear we?d won the war;
So, I headed back home and I waited for my reward.
I plough this man?s field now from morning until night.
That war took my left arm; I?m just a-working with my right.
I guess I fought for the freedom of some richer man up north.
But I still fight for something. This plough goes back and forth.
Chorus
Cape Henry, Cape Henry off of that old Virginia shore.
The Ballad of Cape Henry is a song about soldiers who are stationed on a ship near Cape Henry, Virginia during the "Rising Sun" era. Though the year is not specified in the lyrics, it is most likely the 1980s. They are awaiting a sign when suddenly six battleships appear on the horizon. The soldiers immediately man their stations and pass around a jug of wine as they wait for the enemy to approach them. The thunder, lightning, and ringing in the ears begin, followed by the screaming of soldiers. The battlefield is surrounded by water, with water that seems to be on fire, and flames climbing higher. The soldiers continue firing their cannons for at least two hours or more. The war eventually ends with the soldier waking up in Richmond with a medal on his chest. He then goes back home and starts plouring a man's field. Despite losing his left arm in the war, he continues working with his right arm, fighting for something.
The song presents a contrasting view of war, showing both the bravery and sacrifice of those who fight as well as the struggles of those who survive it. The idea of soldiers waiting patiently for a battle to begin, passing around wine to calm their nerves, creates a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among the soldiers. The mention of the water and the flames makes it seem like the battle was taking place on the ocean, with the water being on fire representing just how brutal it was. Despite the character losing his left arm, he has still persevered and fought for something since coming home, even if it is just ploughing farms. The song shows the human consequences of war and the sacrifice of those who fight it.
Line by Line Meaning
I served as a sailor; it was back in ?81.
I joined the Navy as a sailor in 1981.
I can?t say I?m sorry; I volunteered for what I done.
I don't regret my decision to join the Navy and serve my country.
We trained and we waited; we would not be outdone.
We prepared and waited for any challenge that might come our way.
Then one day six battleships came out of the rising sun.
We encountered a fleet of six enemy battleships.
So we all manned our stations. We passed a jug of wine.
We took our positions and shared a moment of camaraderie before the battle began.
We waited with patience; we waited for a sign.
We patiently waited for the right opportunity to strike.
First thunder, then lightning, then the ringing in my ears, I can still hear that screaming, even after all of these years.
The battle was intense and left a lasting impression on my senses and memory.
Chorus: Cape Henry, Cape Henry, the battlefield?s on fire With water, white water with those flames climbing higher We fired our cannon at least two hours or more Cape Henry, Cape Henry off of that old Virginia shore
Cape Henry was the site of our battle, where the sea was ablaze with fire and smoke as we fought for hours on end.
Our deck was in tatters. That smoke was thick and Black.
Our ship suffered damage and was engulfed in thick, black smoke.
For each shot they fired we fired two right back.
We responded to every enemy shot with two shots of our own.
And then I felt my shoulder, and then something knocked me down.
I was injured and knocked to the ground during the battle.
Yeah, the last thing I remember was that water all around.
Water was the last thing I remember before losing consciousness.
So, I woke up in Richmond with a medal on my chest.
I woke up in a hospital in Richmond and received a medal for my service in the battle.
And I know that I earned it ?cause I know that I did my best.
I feel proud that I earned the medal because I did everything I could and gave my best effort.
We did lose that battle, but I?d hear we?d won the war;
Although we lost the battle, we were eventually victorious in the larger war effort.
So, I headed back home and I waited for my reward.
I returned home and waited for my recognition and reward for my service.
I plough this man?s field now from morning until night.
Due to my injury, I now work as a farmer and tend to someone else's land from dawn till dusk.
That war took my left arm; I?m just a-working with my right.
I lost my left arm in the war and am now only able to work with my right arm.
I guess I fought for the freedom of some richer man up north.
I fought to defend the freedom of people who were wealthier and more privileged than I was in the northern states.
But I still fight for something. This plough goes back and forth.
Although my role has changed, I continue to work hard and fight for something by keeping this plough moving back and forth.
Chorus Cape Henry, Cape Henry off of that old Virginia shore.
The chorus reiterates that the song is about the battle that took place off the coast of Virginia at Cape Henry.
Contributed by Layla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.