I Can See You - by Paddy Summerfield c. 1986

Friday, September 11, 2026

Blind Willie Johnson - God Moves On the Water : and Charlie Parr (2008) [dedicated to composer Gavin Bryars ‘Sinking of The Titanic’]

 

God Moves On the Water


This recording is from 1929. It’s Blind Willie Johnson’s song “God Moves on the Water”, about the Sinking of the Titanic. (lyrics)
The Titanic in dry dock, Belfast, c. 1912. (original post here)


God Moves on the Water - Blind Willie Johnson

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, oh, God moves, ah
And the people had to run and pray
The guards who had been a-watching
Asleep for they were tired
When they heard the great excitement
Then a gunshot was fired
God moves… 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… 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… and the 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… 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… and the people had to run and pray
Well… ahh, ah, Lord

For Black History Month, I’ll be featuring Black music and Black musicians from all different genres, countries, and eras on my blog all month. Check out those tags if you want to diversify your music taste! ~ HERBERG DE KELDER

Wait a minute Charlie Parr covered this song too?!?

God Moves on the Water · Charlie Parr

Roustabout

℗ 2008 Charlie Parr LLC

Released on: 2008-06-17




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