Day 283: Wade in the Water

I performed at a music club meeting this morning with the soprano and clarinetist of our chamber group. I had gotten myself in a tizzy about it yesterday. That is why I took the day off and practiced until my fingers nearly bled.

I finally calmed down this morning. Said a prayer. Looked over my notes from yesterday's bible study and blog.  Took a deep breath. Went to Starbucks for a London Fog. Talked to my favorite positive barista. He was very interested in our upcoming performance:  "A Remarkable Journey: African American Women Composers." I gave him a flyer. Then I sat down and wrote some notes on what I was going to say prior to our performance. All three of us are shy. Public speaking is not our forte, so to speak. But lately, I have been overcoming!  I just put myself into a zone. I think about the music, find something unique and interesting to say, and then imagine spreading this love and joy to the audience. With a bit of humor. It must be working, because my ladies asked me to do the speaking again today!

As I began my piano solo, "Troubled Water" by Margaret Bonds, based on the spiritual "Wade in the Water", I felt a shift. Joy and light permeated my being. I felt like I was speaking through the notes that my fingers played. And I could almost feel the struggle of the African-American slaves. I also could almost feel the spirit of Margaret Bonds, one of the only African-American women to attend Northwestern University and obtain a BA and MA in music in her day!  She was apparently a fine pianist and composer, but the world will not know most of her works because she did not write it down.

My solo went like a dream. I even got a standing ovation (of one, but still!) The audience was very complimentary. And my duet with the clarinetist went quite well. I felt we were in sync! Our soprano always thrills.  A very good morning indeed. I give the glory to God. I could not have done this on my own.  I wade through thick muddy water everyday. In bondage to my own fears and anxieties. I am learning to first give them to Him.

So, fittingly, my hymn of the day is "Wade in The Water"!

Wade in the Water

Tradition Spiritual

Lyrics: Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water

Who’s that host all dressed in white?
Wade in the water
Looks like the leader of the Israelite
God's a-going to trouble the water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water

Who’s that band all dressed in red?
Wade in the water
Looks like the band that Moses led
God's a-going to trouble the water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water

Look over yonder, what do you see?
Wade in the water
The Holy Ghost falling on me
God's a-going to trouble the water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water

If you don't believe I've been redeemed
Wade in the water
Come follow me down to the Jordan's stream
Cause God's a-going to trouble the water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water

 Happy Tuesday! :)