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Patty Griffin — Wade In The Water
Album: Downtown Church
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1195









Released: 2010
Length: 3:03
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's going to trouble the water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's going to trouble the water

See those children all dressed in white?
God's going to trouble the water
Looking like the children of the Israelites
God's going to trouble the water

The river Jordan is chilly and cold
God's going to trouble the water
It chills my body but not my soul
God's going to trouble the water

He going to wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's going to trouble the water

See those children all dressed in red?
God's going to trouble the water
Looking like the children that Moses led
God's going to trouble the water

If you get there before I do
God's going to trouble the water
Tell all my friends that I'm a coming home too
God's going to trouble the water

He going to wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's going to trouble the water

He going to trouble the water
He going to trouble the water
Wade on the
He going to trouble the water
He going to trouble the water
Comments (65)add comment
 erwinphoto wrote:

Love the choir and the music. But then comes in madame Griffin. Shame



If I had to choose between the choir and music, or "madame" Griffin singing acapella, I would choose Patty every time. 
GREAT!!  A lot of people did this song! I also like the versions by Harvey Mandel, Ramsey Lewis, & Staple Singers!   
Love the choir and the music. But then comes in madame Griffin. Shame
 bam23 wrote:

I find myself puzzling over why certain singers choose to perform rather mundane pieces that do not especially either show off their skills or say anything that has not already been battered to submission. I get that she likes gospel, but there is unfortunately little to recommend in this performance (to me, at least). She has written a number of really powerful and emotionally moving songs that she can perform really well, but in the only show of hers I have ever seen, this piece consumed a goodly chunk of the rather short evening. There is nothing to my mind that redeems the performance.



Wow. You think this is substandard? I want a crack at your music collection. It must be next order.
Another artist who should be above 10
NICE!!
 jimys wrote:

I like Eva Cassidy's version better.


This is pretty good, too. She's owning it, like Eva did.
I like Eva Cassidy's version better.
 bam23 wrote:
I find myself puzzling over why certain singers choose to perform rather mundane pieces that do not especially either show off their skills or say anything that has not already been battered to submission. I get that she likes gospel, but there is unfortunately little to recommend in this performance (to me, at least). She has written a number of really powerful and emotionally moving songs that she can perform really well, but in the only show of hers I have ever seen, this piece consumed a goodly chunk of the rather short evening. There is nothing to my mind that redeems the performance.

 
Huh? I'd say everything you said -inversely. Terrific rendition.
 bam23 wrote:
I find myself puzzling over why certain singers choose to perform rather mundane pieces that do not especially either show off their skills or say anything that has not already been battered to submission. I get that she likes gospel, but there is unfortunately little to recommend in this performance (to me, at least). She has written a number of really powerful and emotionally moving songs that she can perform really well, but in the only show of hers I have ever seen, this piece consumed a goodly chunk of the rather short evening. There is nothing to my mind that redeems the performance.

 
Condescending much.  I don't think that you really "get" that she likes gospel.

It is unfortunate to hear, however, that you lost "goodly chunk" of an un-redeemable evening in your mundane life to this certain singer.  
As an angler who spends much time wading, I can get behind this song.
I find myself puzzling over why certain singers choose to perform rather mundane pieces that do not especially either show off their skills or say anything that has not already been battered to submission. I get that she likes gospel, but there is unfortunately little to recommend in this performance (to me, at least). She has written a number of really powerful and emotionally moving songs that she can perform really well, but in the only show of hers I have ever seen, this piece consumed a goodly chunk of the rather short evening. There is nothing to my mind that redeems the performance.
 Otomi wrote:

Let go of my arm, man, and I'll let go of your hand. One... two... three... now! No? Come on, man, you know I have a free hand. One... two... three... now! Hey man, I'm sorry, but... Whap!

 

generic adlib blues (and I usually love blues)
 zepher wrote:


 
Let go of my arm, man, and I'll let go of your hand. One... two... three... now! No? Come on, man, you know I have a free hand. One... two... three... now! Hey man, I'm sorry, but... Whap!
anything about water could be a gospel song{#Angel}
I'd wade in the water if Patty asked me too......Shes got it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g4sDSpW9Uc
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmxGqqZf8gc
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsyQDdVvLW4
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRpzEnq14Hs

 jrichartz wrote:
Seems like a bit too much Patty Griffin.... actually getting tired of her. There are tons of other female singers, if that is what you're looking for because she is just so so..
 
Yeah, and Eva Cassidy does a better version of this song IMO. 
 
Seems like a bit too much Patty Griffin.... actually getting tired of her. There are tons of other female singers, if that is what you're looking for because she is just so so..
 mread wrote:

How very open-minded of you.

 
He obviously thinks that the stories of humanity are meaningless.  I pity him.
Babtism is beautiful.....  {#Group-hug}


 docuplate wrote:
Re:  the meaning of 'wade in the water', I'm no authority, but I've always thought of 'the water' as a reference to the River Jordan, which is of great historical and symbolic significance to Christians.

 
Can also refer to the pool in the temple where the sick waited for healing.  Even more significant to Christians, where the Jordan is significant to Jews, as well.  And black Americans have historically related to the story of the Jews in slavery in Egypt and their deliverance to freedom and the Promised Land by God.
I don't have a religious bone in my body, but GAWDDAMN I do love a good gospel tune!!
 slackpacker wrote:
They are "wading" in the water, to escape from their slave masters... at least that's how I interpret it, but I did learn that from another musician's back story of the song. 

scott_bruce wrote:
Why are they waiting in the water?
 

As I have heard, too.  Slaves assumed God would "trouble the water" as a sign that now is the time to flee — to hitch a ride on the Underground Railroad.  By wading in that same water, they would be invisible to trackers and their dogs.

Sounds like a reasonable interpretation, so I'm sticking with it.
 Kanuffen wrote:
Unfortunately (nearly) all songs with religious conotations, inferences, references, themes or out right narative are deserving of the lowest ranking despite the quality of the song.
 
How very open-minded of you.
They are "wading" in the water, to escape from their slave masters... at least that's how I interpret it, but I did learn that from another musician's back story of the song. 

scott_bruce wrote:
Why are they waiting in the water?
 


Why are they waiting in the water?
Hallelujah!
 Kanuffen wrote:
Unfortunately (nearly) all songs with religious conotations, inferences, references, themes or out right narative are deserving of the lowest ranking despite the quality of the song.
  
Why? I would love to see the list of songs you think are good AND do not have religious references. My guess is you'd be suprised.  
 Kanuffen wrote:
Unfortunately (nearly) all songs with religious conotations, inferences, references, themes or out right narative are deserving of the lowest ranking despite the quality of the song.
 
I understand how you feel, Kanuf. I don't take such an extreme stance, but I confess that I cringe whenever I get a Christmas card/letter that says that the family of the author is "blessed", and I avoid getting on Dylan's slow train, in spite of its musical merits.
Not her normal style but she carries it off pretty well (no pun intended). 7.
 Kanuffen wrote:
Unfortunately (nearly) all songs with religious conotations, inferences, references, themes or out right narative are deserving of the lowest ranking despite the quality of the song.
 

 rlr511 wrote:
lamest PG song
  
"Lame in the wa-ter, LAAAAAME in the Wah-tuhhhh..."
lamest PG song
Unfortunately (nearly) all songs with religious conotations, inferences, references, themes or out right narative are deserving of the lowest ranking despite the quality of the song.
 ThirdRail_33 wrote:

Amen - what you said.  This is VG, but doesn't come close to Eva's rendition.
 
I'll second that amen.
 
Throwin' down the 9.  What a talent!
I thought for 30 years that Mandel's version was the original!    {#Beat}
 bluecshells wrote:

Patty rocks...you know why?  Because she just does it!

 
Philosophy - woow!
Not for me! ABSOLUTELY NOT!
 smackiepipe wrote:
Like it, love Patty, but Eva Cassidy nailed this song like no one's business.
 
Amen - what you said.  This is VG, but doesn't come close to Eva's rendition.
Damn, coulda sworn this was Alice Russell. Huh.
What's not love, honor and appreciate about this take?  PG is wonderful.  EmmyLou blazed a trail for many women who are now pitching in.  And EmmyLou herself is by no means over.
Love this, brings Son House to mind. Only good.
 

a whole lotta soul. yes sir.


really like this song cause it reminds me of church. Hey, dj I like to ask how can I set up an audio talk show talking bout my favorite tech things?
Like it, love Patty, but Eva Cassidy nailed this song like no one's business.
Pretty sweet, though I'd really love to hear the Ramsey Lewis version...
Makes me think of Tom Waits.
 FlatCat wrote:
She's got that Adele squeak thing going there. Who influenced whom?
 
HA!...Patty's been around for a few years longer.

She's got that Adele squeak thing going there. Who influenced whom?
As not a fan of gospel and co. , this is not bad!
Nope.... Doesn't get it done for me.... Not this version.....
I always thought this was a Harvey Mandel song.

And now I feel pretty uneducated, as a quick Google search reveals....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wade_in_the_Water


 coy wrote:
alot of wading in the water lately isn't it
or is it just me ?
 

You got water in San Antonio?
Mercy Lounge here in Nashville on October 4th.  Don't know about you'all but we'll be there ...
alot of wading in the water lately isn't it
or is it just me ?
 amb599 wrote:
Hmm.  First PG song I didn't instantly fall in love with.  I'm sure I will though, it's inevitable.
  This makes three of us.  PG is a force of nature.


 amb599 wrote:
Hmm.  First PG song I didn't instantly fall in love with.  I'm sure I will though, it's inevitable.
 
Interesting, I have the same reaction to this song and I'm sure I'll most likely end up really liking it.
Hmm.  First PG song I didn't instantly fall in love with.  I'm sure I will though, it's inevitable.

Patty rocks...you know why?  Because she just does it!


Look up Judy Henske doing this ——really good!

I've heard a snippet of this song in Marc Broussard's "Home."  It would be great to hear that song after this one. I love Patty Griffin's voice, and she does a pretty bang-up job with this song.  Strolling-slow, soulful, and just the right amount of passion and grit. I close my eyes and I'm swaying in a gospel choir, singing the backing vocals.... Good stuff!
Tasty