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On "Wade in the Water" - (2017)
for piano
The hymn tune is noted in an old hymnal as "a favorite melody among Southern Baptists while a baptism is in progress." It is said in a Wikipedia article to have "first published in New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers (1901) by John Wesley Work II and his brother, Frederick J. Work." Below is from among the many historical photographs preserved, capturing this practice.
The chorus' lyrics: "Wade in the water, / Wade in the water, children, / Wade in the water, / God's a-going to trouble the water."
This little essay for piano on the traditional melody sets the tonality by its introduction and then states the tune in distinct syncopated rhythms.
3 pages, circa 3' 30" - an MP3 demo is here:
The score is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this piano score.
