Singing as a form of communication is deeply rooted in the African American culture. It began with the African slaves who were kidnapped and shipped across the Atlantic during the Middle Passage. Slaves from different countries, tribes and cultures used singing as a way to communicate during the voyage. They were able to look for kin, countrymen and women through song. According to a white shipmate who made four voyages to Africa between 1760 and 1770. “They frequently sing, the men and woman answering another, but what is the subject of their songs cannot say.”1 Although they could not understand what the Africans were saying the crew did pick up on the sorrowful tone of their songs.2

Music was a way for slaves to express their feelings whether it was sorrow, joy, inspiration or hope. Songs were passed down from generation to generation throughout slavery.

The “Moses of her people”, Harriett Tubman was the Conductor of the Underground Railroad. The exact number of people lead to freedom on the Underground Railroad is not known. But Tubman was able to create a network of stations and operators helped to lead escaped slaves North to freedom. One of the songs of the Underground Railroad was “Wade in the Water”. While it hasn’t been proven, it is believed that Harriett Tubman used this traditional Negro Spiritual as a way to warn slaves to get into the water to hide their scent from the slavecatching dogs on their trail.

Wade in the water, wade in the water children
Wade in the water,
God's gonna trouble the water