Wade in the Water depicts the essence of African American spirituality and originates in the mid 19th century. It encompasses slavery, religion, bravery, and resistance. As with many of these spirituals, the authorship remains unknown; it is thought to have been composed and sung by the enslaved people in the Southern United States.
The lyrics blend water imagery drawn from the Bible with messages of faith laced escape. Shallow water is both a spiritual metaphor and an actual route to freedom.
“Wade in the water, God’s gonna trouble the water” draws inspiration from the Gospel of John, where it is said an angel troubles the water and brings healing to the first person who steps in. In the context of slavery, the line served as a coded phrase on the Underground Railroad providing guidance to fleeing slaves. This advice suggested travel within water to avoid detection by scent-tracking dogs thus using nature as both a shield and savior.
Besides its historical importance, the song’s lyrics encapsulate profound spiritual meaning and express everlasting belief in God’s help and righteousness. The song Wade in the Water has been embraced by gospel singers, civil rights leaders, and music celebrities, evolving into a great hymn of freedom and endurance. People such as Marian Anderson, Ella Jenkins, and the Staple Singers brought wider exposure to the song so that its message would be impossible to ignore.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Wade in the Water |
| Type | African American Spiritual |
| Origin | Mid-19th century, United States |
| Lyricist/Composer | Unknown (Traditional) |
| Genre | Spiritual, Gospel, Folk |
| Themes | Freedom, Faith, Resistance, Deliverance |
| Biblical Reference | John 5:4 – “God’s gonna trouble the water” |
| Historical Use | Underground Railroad, Civil Rights Movement |
| Famous Renditions | Marian Anderson, Staple Singers, Ella Jenkins |
| Legacy | Timeless anthem of hope, struggle, and liberation |
Wade in the Water Lyrics
Wade in the water we dey
Wade in the water children
Wade in the water
God said He’s gonna trouble the water
We are the sons and the daughters
We gotta stand up and make it loud
Just like our God told the Pharaoh
Let my people go (go)
We are a new generation
From the ones who have gone before
He’s calling us out of bondage
Let my pеople go (go)
Wade in the watеr we dey
Wade in the water children
Wade in the water
God said he’s gonna trouble the water
We are the sons and the daughters
We gotta stand up and make it loud
Just like our God told the Pharaoh
Let my people go (go)
We are a new generation
From the ones who have gone before
He’s calling us out of bondage
Let my people go (go)
We no go shy no go shake
E be our Papa God wey he make the heavens
If you no say you no want trouble
Let my people go (go)
The blood sweat and the tears
That we’ve gathered through the years
If you no say you no want trouble
Let my people go (go)
Wade in the water we dey
Wade in the water children
Wade in the water
God said he’s gonna trouble the water
Oh oh oh x3
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