Wade In The Water
Before My Journey
I am running away every day, as I stay my master’s prey
“A Slave is stray” is what he would say, when I got away
Just because my skin is not white, they think that im not right
I know im not bright, but I put up a fight, to give him a fright
I wade in the water, for my daughter, hoping he hasn’t caught her
I had my mother, but the shot her, so now im a victim of slaughter
Every time I flee, I just wonder, “How could they do this to me?”
I won’t stop running until im free, why cant he just leave me be?
He won’t even allow me to read, he would rather see me bleed
As I lay there and bleed, I cry and plead, to have my family freed
I know the end is near, I need to get away from here, I need a cure
For all of the fear, that is going to appear, every night that im here
They whip me until in soaked in gore, I really can’t take it anymore
So as my master snores, with my skin tore, I rush for the door
Wade In The Water
I made it away from the plantation, but I am in need of salvation
Im in a bad situation, I lack education, so I don’t know my location
Running down the Mississippi River, the water is cold so I shiver
I can faintly hear his dogs barking, so I quiver, but I must deliver
I must make it to the Underground Railroad, I sing the escape code
“Wade In The Water, Children, Wade In The Water”
My journey is going to be long, so it helps when I sing the song
I need to stay strong, the Underground Railroad is where I belong
It’s almost like a race, because I know my master is soon to chase
I don’t belong at his place, I can tell he is moving at a fast pace
Because the barking dogs get loud, I know hes onto my route
When I think of my family I pout, now I can hear my master shout
“Give up boy, Im going to catch you!”
Now I know that he is not far away, as the sky grows grey
I must find a way, to make it another day, because I cannot stay
With my master, I need to move faster, or there will be a disaster
If I do not move faster, I will be caught and whipped by my master
After A Weeks Journey
I have out ran him, but I still feel that my chances are slim
My determination is grim, with little food, and I can hardly swim
The river water is cold, but every hour alive is like finding gold
No im thinking about the day I was sold, and when I was told
That I will be a slave for life, and that I will be leaving my wife
In a way it ended my life, like takin a knife, and making a slice
I have travelled for a week, and now I know that the place I seek
Is getting closer to me, but I don’t know if ill make it, im so weak
A rush comes over me and I feel alright, I can hear songs in the night
Almost like I make it to freedom during the night, liberty is in sight
I am sill travelling in the water, I think of seeing my daughter
I think of my new life with my daughter, and no more slaughter
I see people standing ahead of me, in a circle singing with glee
With all these people that I can see, I realise that I am free