Blind Willie Johnson - God Moves On The Water

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases "God Moves On The Water", a 1929 Gospel song composed & performed by Blind Willie Johnson. That song is about the sinking of the Titanic ocean liner.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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SHOWCASE SOUND FILE AND LYRICS

Blind Willie Johnson - God Moves On The Water.



ALfaDuB101, Uploaded on May 21, 2011

Blind Willie Johnson - Good Moves On The Water

"Blind" Willie Johnson (January 22, 1897 -- September 18, 1945) was an American singer and guitarist whose music straddled the border between blues and spirituals. While the lyrics of all of his songs were religious, his music drew from both sacred and blues traditions. Among musicians, he is considered one of the greatest slide or bottleneck guitarists, as well as one of the most revered figures of depression-era gospel music.His music is distinguished by his powerful bass thumb-picking and gravelly false-bass voice, with occasional use of a tenor voice.

Lyrics

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
Ahh-ah
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
(spoken: Well) Ahh, ah, Lord

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Thanks to Blind Willie Johnson for his musical legacy. Thanks also to the producer of this YouTube video and the information & lyrics that are enclosed in the summary statement.

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