JAMIE SUE AUSTIN

The held hands

Wade in the water…
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water…

and chanted

God’s gonna trouble the water

gripped the sand that lapped their feet

Wade in the water…
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water… 

and let the water rush down their throats

God’s gonna set you free
 

The Legend of Singing River: The Singing River, in Pascagoula, murmurs a tragic tale of Indian lore. The Pascagoula Indians were a tribe of contented, idyllic people, whereas the Biloxi Indians considered themselves the “first people” and were enemies of the Pascagoula. Anola, a princess of the Biloxi tribe, was in love with Altama, Chief of the Pascagoulas. She was betrothed to a chieftain of her own tribe, but fled with Altama to his people. Faced with enslavement by the Biloxi tribe, the Pascagoulas joined hands and began to chant a song of death as they walked into the river until the last voice was hushed by the dark, engulfing waters. The Singing River is famous worldwide for the noise it makes, like a swarm of bees. The music, which grows nearer and louder until it seems to come from under foot, is best heard in the still of evening, during late summer and autumn. Various scientific explanations have been offered for the phenomenon, but none have been proven. Many believe it is the death song of the Pascagoula tribe.

http://cityofpascagoula.com/history-of-pascagoula (history of Singing River)