Good morning, Family:

In America, in the month of February, we celebrate Black History Month. Most of black history month is encapsulated through the eyes of African Americans from the time of slavery forward. Not too many African Americans know about their history prior to slavery, due in part to record keeping, property assignments and miseducation. With that being said, African American music is interwoven throughout the United States and beyond.

It has always been my desire to use gospel and Christian  music as a platform to reach the world. Music goes beyond the ears and into the sinews of the heart, mind, spirit and soul. African Americans music, especially gospel music, communicates so many things. It speaks of literal and figurative bondage and freedom. It speaks of bondage to man as well as bondage to sin. At the same time it speaks of freedom from man and freedom through Christ. 

The song Wade in the Water is one of those old negro spirituals that have dual meaning. Because many slaves knew the secret meanings of these songs, they could be used to signal many things. For example, Harriet Tubman used the song “Wade in the Water” to tell escaping slaves to get off the trail and into the water to make sure the dogs slavecatchers used couldn’t sniff out their trail. People walking through water did not leave a scent trail that dogs could follow. Read the words of “Wade in the Water.”

Chorus: Wade in the Water, wade in the water children.
Wade in the Water. God’s gonna trouble the water.

Who are those children all dressed in Red?
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Must be the ones that Moses led.
God’s gonna trouble the water.

Chorus.

Who are those children all dressed in White?
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Must be the ones of the Israelites.
God’s gonna trouble the water.

Chorus.

Who are those children all dressed in Blue?
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Must be the ones that made it through.
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Chorus. (Courtesy of: http://pathways.thinkport.org/secrets/music2.cfm)

Listen to the African American Female a capella group Sweet Honey in the Rock as they sing “Wade in the Water.”  The song sings of spiritual and physical freedom.

As there are Christians in every color, nationality, and race, we all can relate to this song. I’m sure that God has rescued each of us from dual snares and provided a way of escape. Amen

Study and meditate on Romans 8.

Go in peace, while praising and serving the Lord.

Rev. Marcia F. Davis