God Moves on the Water
Blind Willie Johnson
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Ah, Lord, ah, Lord Year of nineteen hundred and twelve, April the fourteenth day Great Titanic struck an iceberg, people had to run and pray God moves, moves, God moves, ah, and the people had to run and pray The guards who had been a-watching, asleep 'cause they were tired When they heard the great excitement, then a gunshot was fired God moves, moves, God moves, ah, and the people had to run and pray Captain Smith gave orders, women and children first Many of the lifeboats piled right up, many were liable to crush God moves on, God moves, God moves, ah, and the people had to run and pray So many had to leave their happy home, all that they possess Lord Jesus, will you hear us now, help us in our distress God moves, God moves, God moves, ah, people had to run and pray Women had to leave their loving ones, see 'bout their safety When they heard the liner was doomed, hearts did almost break God moves, God moves, God moves, ah, and the people had to run and pray A.G. Smith, mighty man, built a boat that he couldn't understand Named it a name of God in a tin, without a "c", Lord, he pulled it in God moves, ah, God moves, God moves, ah, and the people had to run and pray Well Ah, ah, Lord
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12 facts about this song
Record History"God Moves on the Water" was recorded in 1929 by Blind Willie Johnson, a gospel blues singer and guitarist.
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Artist's BackgroundJohnson was blinded at a young age, which is how he earned his moniker. Despite his impairment, he became one of the most well-known street musicians in Texas during his lifetime.
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Song ThemeThe song is about the Titanic's tragic sinking incident which occurred in 1912, with over 1,500 people losing their lives. The song suggests that the catastrophe was a divine punishment due to man's hubris in boasting that even God couldn't sink their ship.
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Song StyleThe song is characterized by Johnson's gritty and soulful voice accompanied by his resonant guitar playing, creating a captivating blend of gospel and blues.
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Influence"God Moves on the Water" becomes a significant piece in the American gospel blues tradition. Its story-telling style has been imitated by many later blues musicians.
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LegacyThe song, along with Johnson's other works, has been preserved by the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, which officially recognizes it as culturally, historically, or aesthetically important.
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Cover VersionsThe song, like many of Johnson's works, has been covered by various artists across generations, from Bob Dylan to Tom Waits, testifying to its enduring influence.
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Album Release"God Moves on the Water" was initially released as a single but was later incorporated into several albums featuring Johnson's works. One of these albums is "The Complete Blind Willie Johnson", including all his 30 recorded songs.
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Factual ErrorIt's worth noting that in the lyrics, Johnson mistakenly claims that the Titanic's sinking happened in April 1911, when in reality, it occurred on 15 April 1912.
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LyricsThe spiritual folk song asserts that faith in God and humility are more important than human achievements, and warns against the perils of righteous retribution, making it a poignant commentary on the Titanic disaster.
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InstrumentsThe song showcases Johnson's signature slide guitar style using a pocketknife, delivering a haunting and emotionally stirring rendition that further amplifies the song's tragic narrative.
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RecognitionIn 2011, the song along with Johnson’s rendition was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame under the category for 'Historical'.
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Citation
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"God Moves on the Water Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/629608/Blind+Willie+Johnson/God+Moves+on+the+Water>.
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