Wade in the Water
As performed by Beverly McLean
The Community Music Project: The Innocence to Cry
A popular slave spiritual even before the Civil War, “Wade in the Water” was not formally published until 1901. Its lyrics contain coded instructions to fugitive slaves about how to avoid being re-captured. It suggests walking in a stream bed in order to foil pursuing bloodhounds. The song is widely associated with the Underground Railroad.
The song also relates to the Bible. It verses reflect the Israelites escape from Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus. The chorus refers to healing (John 5:4 NIV), “From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had.”
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Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water.
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water.
See that host all dressed in white
God's gonna trouble the water
The leader looks like an Israelite
God's gonna trouble the water.
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water.
See that band all dressed in red
God's gonna trouble the water
Looks like the band that Moses led
God's gonna trouble the water.
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water.
Look over yonder, what did I see?
God's gonna trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a-coming for me
God's gonna trouble the water.
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water
If you don't believe I've been redeemed
God's gonna trouble the water
Just follow me down to the Jordan's stream
God's gonna trouble the water.
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water
*There are numerous variations and alternative verses.
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