In 2018, our much-loved Advisory member Wendi posted here about the song "Wade in the Water." We thought it would be good to hear again what she had to say about it. (Most of the links given are hers as well.)
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Somehow in the domino effect that happens when chasing down information on the internet I ended up clicking a link to Wade in the Water, a favourite of mine since childhood days.
There are a lot of variations to this one, both to the lyrics and the tune, although the basic heart of the song is always:
Wade in the water.
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water.
God's gonna trouble the water.
According to Wikipedia, ""Wade in the Water" (Roud 5439) is the name of a Negro spiritual first published in New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers (1901) by John Wesley Work II and his brother, Frederick J. Work (see Fisk Jubilee Singers). It is associated with the songs of the Underground Railroad."
(The Fisk Jubilee Singers are an African-American a cappella ensemble, consisting of students at Fisk University. The first group was organized in 1871 to tour and raise funds for college. Their early repertoire consisted mostly of traditional spirituals, but included some Stephen Foster songs. The original group toured along the Underground Railroad path in the United States, as well as performing in England and Europe. Later 19th-century groups also toured in Europe.)
What does it mean? Depends on who you ask, and also on who is singing.
Some of the reference are obvious:
For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had., John 5:4
Moses led the Israelites out of slavery.
Under the surface: it's probably a spiritual celebrating freedom and encouraging it as well, literally. Harriet Tubman was the Moses of her people. The Ohio River had to be crossed to reach freedom, and often references to the Jordan River were coded references to The Ohio River. It's giving hints on how to get to freedom- wade in the water to keep the blood hounds off your trail, follow our Moses, cross the Ohio river, make it to the other side.
When God troubles the water... is that a reference to conditions being right to make a run for freedom?
The background is meaningful and important- but if you only have time for one thing, make it be singing the song (s)
Sing!
Lyrics
On the AO Folk Songs webpage, you will see two links to Youtube videos. The first goes to this one by the Staple Singers, and the second goes to this one by the vocal ensemble Chanticleer.
Here are the extra videos that Wendi recommended, with her notes.
Wade in the Water by the Jeeemeys, the alter-ego of musician and teacher Jimmy Rossi. Mr. Rossi put the lyrics in his video so it's easy to follow along. This version is also fairly simple and easy to follow as it lacks the wonderful improvisation that often accompanies Wade in the Water.
Wade in the Water by Ella Fitzgerald and the Goodwill Spiritual Choir
Here's a version by the Blind Boys of Alabama
St James Missionary Baptist church of Canton, 1978
Topher Keene teaches an audience how to sing it in 3 part harmony, a very good teaching/learning recording for those who want extra help (could be fun with an AO/CM co-op)
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