Wade in the Water - Traditional

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 the 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.

If you don't believe I've been redeemed,
God's gonna trouble the water;
Just follow me down to 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.

Wade in the Water lyrics feature the warning that 'God's gonna trouble the water.' Historically the song served as a practical instruction for escaping slaves to take to the water to throw off tracking dogs. Spiritually it reflects on the healing and transformative power of God's presence. By singing these lyrics the faithful participate in a rhythmic and evocative expression of faith that finds divinity in the midst of struggle and movement.