Wade in the Water

DESCRIPTION: "Wade in the water, Wade in the water, children, Wade in the water, God's gonna trouble the water." The singer warns of the coming signs of the end. The victory of Heaven over Hell is considered assured. The singer looks forward to future freedom
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1925 (recording, Sunset Four Jubilee Singers)
KEYWORDS: religious freedom nonballad worksong
FOUND IN: US(Ap)
REFERENCES (10 citations):
Gainer-FolkSongsFromTheWestVirginiaHills, pp. 216-217, "Wade in the Water" (1 text, 1 tune)
Boette-SingaHipsyDoodle, p. 167, "Wade in the Water" (1 text, 1 tune)
Parrish-SlaveSongsOfTheGeorgiaSeaIslands 38, pp. 170-171, "Wade in nuh Watuh Childun" (1 text, 1 tune)
Warren-EveryTimeIFeelTheSpirit, pp. 97-98, "Wade in the Water" (1 text, 1 tune)
Lomax-FolkSongsOfNorthAmerica 242, "Wade in the Water" (1 text, 1 tune)
Arnett-IHearAmericaSinging, p. 63, "Wade in the Water" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber/Silber-FolksingersWordbook, p. 356, "Wade in the Water" (1 text)
Averill-CampSongsFolkSongs, p. 315, "Wade in the Water" (1 text)
SongsOfManyNations, "Wade in the Water" (1 text, 1 tune) (12th edition, p. 59)
DT, WADEWATR*
Roud #5439
RECORDINGS:
Birmingham Jubilee Quartet, "Wade in the Water" (Vocalion 1563, 1930)
Empire Jubilee Quartet, "Wade in de Water" (Victor 23340, 1932; rec. 1929)
Famous Blue Jay Singers of Birmingham, "Children Wade in de Water" (Paramount 13128, 1932; Broadway 1246, n.d.; Champion 50026, 1935; on VocalQ2)
Fannie Lou Hamer, "Wade in the Water" (on VoicesCiv)
Timothy Hays and Group, "Wade in the Water" (on VaWork)
Lincoln Four Quartette, "Wade in the Water" (Paramount 12621, 1928)
Sunset Four Jubilee Singers, "Wade in the Water" (Paramount 12273, 1925)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Bear the News, Mary" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Walk In Jerusalem Just Like John" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Heaven and Hell" (floating lyrics)
cf. "If You Get There Before I Do" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Is Your Lamps Gone Out" (floating lyrics)
NOTES [40 words]: The VaWork recording uses "Wade in the Water" as a work song, in this case for shucking oysters commercially. The shucking blows are not delivered simultaneously: each shucker works to his/her own rhythm, though they all sing together. - BS
Last updated in version 6.3
File: LoF242

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