Bloodhounds down coming harder and harder
Wade in the water
Master and his men coming closer and closer
Wade in the water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
Your only hope is the water

The scent of a Negro slips away
Wade in the water
The memory of toil and tragedy will some day fade
Wade in water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
Your only hope is the water

White men on horses racing through the tide
Wade in the water
White Egyptians coming for black Israelites
Wade in the water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
Your only hope is the water

Two stories of God’s people don’t end the same
Wade in the water
The red blood of black man gave the sea its name
Wade in the water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
Death is coming to the water