M. Bonds Troubled Water from Spiritual Suite

M. Bond
Troubled Water from Spiritual Suite
Note from the performer:
The piece we are sharing with you today is "Troubled Water," the last movement of Spiritual Suite by Margaret Bonds (1913-1972), a Black female composer whose works are only recently gaining some long-overdue attention. This particular movement is based on an African-American spiritual called "Wade in the Water." We know there have been many troubling events in this past year, including the recent tragic events in the United States against the AAPI community--so we hope the message of deliverance and hope in these lyrics brings you some peace. Here are some of the verses:
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God’s a-going to trouble the water
See that band all dressed in red
God's a-going to trouble the water
Looks like the band that Moses led
God’s a-going to trouble the water
You'll see a clear reference to Moses of the Old Testament leading the enslaved Israelites to freedom. And "troubling the water" is a New Testament reference to the healing Pool of Bethesda (John 5), where an angel would periodically stir up, or trouble, the waters, and then the first person to step in would be healed of their ailments. At the same time, scholars also speculate that the verses of this spiritual were used as a kind of encoded message to enslaved people looking to escape on the Underground Railroad, telling them to wade in the water to avoid being tracked by slave catchers' dogs.

[@roz583]

Love it!! ❤️

[@haewonyang]

Beautifully played!

[@PianoSandbox]

Thank you!