Wade in the water - African American spiritual (Hayes version)

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 11 May 2006, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

Refrain: GO-AHEAD ENTER RIVER.
GO-AHEAD ENTER, MY CHILDREN.
GO-AHEAD ENTER RIVER.
KNOW-THAT GOD DIVIDE WATER WILL.
WAVES-PARTING.

FEEL WAY-DOWN VALLEY, PRAY ON-MY-KNEES.
GO-AHEAD ENTER RIVER.
ASK+ MY LORD, SAVE ME PLEASE.
GO-AHEAD ENTER RIVER. Refrain

WAY-UP-rt MOUNTAIN, J-H HE-rt,hi SPEAK.
GO-AHEAD ENTER RIVER.
HIS-rt,hi MOUTH mouth-FLAME FIRE SMOKE.
GO-AHEAD ENTER RIVER.
ME HEAR NOISE WAY-UP-ctr SKY.
GO-AHEAD ENTER RIVER.
SUSPECT THAT JESUS TRAVEL-sky THEREABOUTS-sky.
GO-AHEAD ENTER RIVER. Refrain


Notes: GO-AHEAD - (2h)[B^ dot], POs ><, FOs away, move forward in a jerk.

KNOW-THAT - Starts like KNOW but twists and descends, looking almost like DON'T-KNOW except the hand twists down at the end.

WAVES-PARTING - (2h)[5:], POs down, knuckles touching, hands wg while separating.

WAY-DOWN - Index finger points downwards and descends in a wavy path.

PRAY - (2h)[B] press palms together and circle vertically normal (perpendicular) to the torso.

ON-MY-KNEES - Press knuckles against upturned palm of NDH and moves both in vertical circles normal (perpendicular) to the chest.

WAY-UP - Index finger points upwards and ascends in a wavey path.

J-H - JEHOVAH.

mouth-FLAME - Hold dorsal side (back) of hand against mouth and move away with wg and mouth grimacing open like that of a dragon.

TRAVEL-sky - [V:], PO down, FO away, moves > NDS in a wavy pattern.

Lyrics:

These are from an arrangement by Hayes. You will find that there are a multitude of verses, arranged, added, deleted, in various versions. Check your score.

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

Down in the valley, down on my knees
- Wade in the water,
Askin' my Lord to save me, please
- Wade in the water. Refrain

Up on the mountain, Jehovah, he spoke
- Wade in the water,
Out of his mouth came fire and smoke
- Wade in the water.
I heard a rumblin' up in the sky
- Wade in the water,
Must-a been Jesus passin' by
- Wade in the water. Refrain

treble clef as a symbol for musicTo hear the music (without words), go to Classic Christian MIDI music and click on "Wade in the water (2)."

Home