Wade in the Water

It is believed that Harriet Tubman, who made thirteen trips to the South and helped free more than 70 people, used this song to warn slaves to get off the trail and into the water to prevent dogs—used by the slavers—from finding them.

To “Trouble” the water was a biblical reference to God’s blessing in the water if you have the faith to get in.

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Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water.

See those people dressed in white
They look like the children of the Israelites

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 those people dressed in black
They come a long way and they ain't turning back

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water.

See those people dressed in blue
Look like my people comin' thru

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water.

See those people dressed in red
Must be the children that Moses led

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water.

Some say Peter and some say Paul
But there ain't but the one God made us all.

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water.