Patty Griffin (born Patricia Jean Griffin on March 16, 1964, in Old Town, M… Read Full Bio ↴Patty Griffin (born Patricia Jean Griffin on March 16, 1964, in Old Town, Maine) is an American Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and musician. Known for her stripped-down songwriting style centered around the folk music genre, her songs have been covered by a host of musicians including Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, Rory Block, and the Dixie Chicks. In 2007, she was the recipient of the Americana Music Association's "Artist of the Year" award and her album, Children Running Through, won for "Best Album". In 2011, her album Downtown Church won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album.

After a short marriage which ended in 1992, Griffin began playing in Boston coffee houses and was scouted by A&M Records who signed Griffin on the strength of her demo tape. This resulted in her debut album Living With Ghosts -- a set of demos featuring only Ms. Griffin and her guitar -- which garnered critical acclaim in 1996. Her sophomore album, Flaming Red, demonstrated a more rocking, full-band sound. The ill-fated Silver Bell album was never released by her record label, however, and the label terminated her recording contract shortly after that. Many of the songs from Silver Bell were re-recorded for subsequent albums.

After switching to ATO Records Griffin brought out three albums in rapid succession: 1000 Kisses and Impossible Dream, which were both nominated for Grammy awards, and A Kiss in Time, a well-received live album. In March 2007, she released Children Running Through to great critical acclaim.

She has penned a wide variety of songs - Long Ride Home, Top of the World, Tony, Forgiveness, Chief, Mad Mission--that touch her listeners deeply. A number of high profile artists have covered Patty's songs, including the Dixie Chicks, Bette Midler, Emmylou Harris, The Wreckers, Solomon Burke and pop star Kelly Clarkson; these have brought her exposure in the more mainstream pop and country worlds outside of folk music circles. Upon hearing Solomon Burke's cover of one of her tunes, she said she almost didn't feel worthy of singing it anymore.

Following her collaboration with Mavis Staples on a tune for a compilation album Peter York, suggested Griffin make an album of gospel songs. Griffin agreed on the condition that Buddy Miller, a friend and bandmate, produced the record. Downtown Church was recorded at the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville with a 2010 release date. The album features long-time friends Buddy and Julie Miller, as well as Shawn Colvin and Emmylou Harris. It also includes songs by Hank Williams, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton, and "All Creatures of Our God and King," a song accredited to St. Francis of Assisi.

Griffin featured on Robert Plant's solo album, Band of Joy, which was released in September 2010

Griffin's album American Kid was released on May 7, 2013

Wade In The Water
Patty Griffin Lyrics

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Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's a-gonna trouble the water
God's a-gonna trouble the water.

Well, who are these children all dressed in red?
God's a-gonna trouble the water

Must-a-be the children that Moses lead
God's a-gonna trouble the water.

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's a-gonna trouble the water
God's a-gonna trouble the water.

Well out of the mountain come fire an' smoke
God's a-gonna trouble the water
Jehovah nobody be he could've spoke
God's a-gonna trouble the water.

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's a-gonna trouble the water
God's a-gonna trouble the water.

Well, I'm walkin' down the highway an' the water's gettin' low
God's a-gonna trouble the water.
Walkin' down the highway, nowhere to go
God's a-gonna trouble the water.

But it's wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's a-gonna trouble the water

God's a-gonna trouble the water.
God's a-gonna trouble the water.

Overall Meaning

Patty Griffin's song "Wade In The Water" tells a story of Moses leading the children of Israel through the Red Sea, with God's help in troubling the waters to make a path for them. The repetition of the phrase "Wade in the water" serves not only as a call to action but also as a reminder of the children wading through the water on their journey to freedom. Throughout the song, Griffin references God's power and intervention, with the lyrics "God's a-gonna trouble the water" emphasizing the idea that God is and always will be in control.

The second verse of the song ups the stakes when Griffin sings about the children dressed in red, likely a reference to the biblical book of Genesis and Joseph's famous coat of many colors, alluding to the idea of a group of special, chosen children. The third verse refers to the mountain where God speaks to Moses through fire and smoke, adding an element of wonder and awe to the religious experience. The fourth and final verse brings the song back to the present day, perhaps suggesting that there is still more work to be done in the name of freedom and justice.

Overall, "Wade In The Water" is a powerful and thought-provoking song, steeped in the history of the African American experience and the struggle for freedom and equality.

Line by Line Meaning

Wade in the water
Go into the water.

Wade in the water, children
Children, go into the water.

Wade in the water
Get into the water.

God's a-gonna trouble the water
God will make the water troubled.