Donna Hughes – Naomi Wise
Naomi Wise was a young girl who lived and died a tragic death at the turn of the 19th century in Randolph County, North Carolina. The story of her life and death have intrigued and enchanted generations of souls, and has been written about by countless people of all walks of life, for over two centuries.
Braxton Craven, the second President of Duke University, wrote a captivating story about her life that was published in 1851.
Nineteenth century grist mills, modern streets, bridges, and rivers have been named after her. Songs have been written about her by the likes of Bob Dylan, Doc Watson, and many others, both famous and unknown.
One of the latest versions of Naomi Wise, in song, was written by Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter, and lifelong native of Randolph County, North Carolina, Donna Hughes. Her song recently commemorated the Highway Marker dedicated to Naomi Wise that now stands near the site of Naomi’s violent death.
The world will continue to be spellbound by Naomi’s death…. with Donna’s version of “Naomi Wise.”
Donna’s version was recorded in Nashville at the legendary Hilltop Studios, with Engineer Steve Chandler, who has recorded everyone from Dolly Parton to Merle Haggard, and features Donna on piano and vocals. Also featured is guest Jenee Fleenor, who takes the song to another level as she dazzles the listener with some heavenly violin and viola. Jenee is the 2019 & 2020 CMA Musician of the Year, the first female to ever win this honor. She also won the 2020 ACM Musician of the Year. Jenee plays with Blake Shelton full time, & is in the House Band on “The Voice.” She has appeared with Blake on Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Fallon, Ellen, and countless other hit television shows. She’s performed on The Grand Ole Opry with Dolly Parton & others.
In tandem with this elegantly and beautifully crafted song, the featured music video was directed, written, and produced by two-time Emmy winner and North Carolina native Dean Jones of Atlantic & Pacific Studios. The video features John Boyd West, Gina Ferraro, a local musician, Chris Poole, of The Flint Hill Band and many other talented actors!
“Naomi Wise,” is scheduled as a Feature Film to begin Production in 2022. Stay Tuned!
#singersongwriter
#livemusic
#originalsong
Lyrics:
Naomi Wise
Words, Music, Piano, Vocals by Donna Hughes, Flying Hound Publishing, BMI
Featuring 2019, 2020 & 2021 CMA Musician of the Year, Jenee Fleenor on Violin
Engineered by Steve Chandler at Hilltop Studios, Nashville, TN
Video Directed by Dean Jones, Atlantic Pacific Studios
On a horse, he would ride
Into town every day
A charming man, a handsome smile
A white horse, a wealthy name
Naomi was an orphan girl
She fetched the water for the fields
Back and forth to the river
Easy was her heart to steal
Her heart raced a thousand beats
Every day when he would pass
He got down off his horse
Bowed his head, and took her hand
Her heart awakened that warm spring
Like the flowers by the river bank
And he promised her the world
She would never be the same
When it was found she was with child
His wealthy name would not be tied down
Forbade he was to see her
So he found another path to town
Naomi cried herself to sleep
He had found another love
No longer passing by
She was forgotten, it was done
Naomi went & tracked him down
And he gently took her hand
And he led her to the water
Held her down, until she drowned
Until she drowned
Until she drowned
Until she drowned
The love he gave, she’d never had
Forbidden love will never last
Floating by the River’s edge
Because she loved him, now she’s dead