Wade in de Water
Wade in de water, children
God’s a-going to trouble the water.
See that host all dressed in white, God’s a-going to trouble the water
The leader looks like an Israelite, God’s a-going to trouble the water
See that host all dressed in red, God’s a-going to trouble the water
Looks like the band that Moses led, God’s a-going to trouble the water
Look over yonder, what do I see? God’s a-going to trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a-coming on me, God’s a-going to trouble the water
If you don’t believe I’ve been redeemed, God’s a-going to trouble the water
Just follow me down to Jordan’s stream, God’s a-going to trouble the water
“Within the context of the troubled waters of life there are healing waters, because God is in the midst of the turmoil” (Thurman).
Wade in de Water, like many spirituals, was likely used as a coded message on the Underground Railroad. Typical symbols in spirituals include the term Israelite as a reference to the slaves themselves. So the line “see that host all dressed in white, the leader looks like an Israelite” likely directed the escaping slaves to a white marker at a safe house along the Underground Railroad. The water in question likely referred to two things. The Ohio River was the geographical landmark that separated the southern slave states from free northern states. Also, traveling through water was a way for the slaves to hide their scent from pursuing bloodhounds.
In the fifth chapter of John’s Gospel, he tells the story of a man so sick he could not move. He desired healing from the Pool at Bethesda, where it was said that God’s divine presence would stir up, or trouble, the water. This water, troubled by divine presence, became a metaphor for the ups and downs of life (Thurman).
For many years, I sang the refrain of this song. I think I heard it quoted in some gospel song on the radio when I was a child. I never knew what “trouble the water” meant until I started research for this project. I remember thinking “why would I want to go into water that is troubled? That doesn’t sound pleasant!” However, Wade in the Water, is one of my favourite of the Negro spirituals. I love the dark, minor nature and the wail of the second line of the refrain. It evokes such passion and strength. There is a different spiritual with the same theme called Come Down Angels, which I first heard arranged by Undine Smith Moore (1904-1989). The text of that piece seems to bring forth a more joyful connotation to the same story. “Come down angels, trouble the water! Let God’s saints come in!” Either way, this story of the paralyzed man seeking healing demonstrates the resilience of the Negro Spirit. No matter their circumstance, they had faith that a better day would come, even if that day came after they found their eternal resting place in Heaven.
Notable Arrangements and Recordings
Wade in de Water arranged by Moses Hogan*
The Moses Hogan Singers - Wade In De Water
Wade in the Water arranged by Rollo Dilworth*
Wade in the Water (SATB Choir) - Arranged by Rollo Dilworth
Troubled Water by Margaret Bonds*
Wade in the Water arranged for solo voice by L. E. Bolden*
(Recording coming soon)
*African American Composer
Sources:
Thurman, Howard, and Howard Thurman. Deep River ; and, the Negro Spiritual Speaks of Life and Death. Friends United Press, 1975.
Chenu, Bruno. The Trouble I’ve Seen: The Big Book of Negro Spirituals. Judson Press, 2003.
1873-1954., Johnson, J. Rosamond (John Rosamond), et al. The Books of American Negro Spirituals: Including The Book of American Negro Spirituals and the Second Book of Negro Spirituals. Da Capo Press, 1926.
Newman, R. (1998). Go Down, Moses: A Celebration of the African-American Spiritual. Clarkson Potter
https://youtu.be/uTjbMuX5Tiw
https://youtu.be/QHPD28fmsxs
https://youtu.be/vdQtCssBfKY
