Posted by Pete
on April 4, 2008, 6:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Blind Willie Johnson's masterpiece God Moves on the Water"
24.225.225.16
I think the line could be
"Named it a name, God didn't attend. Never to see, Lord, the boat again."
which might refer to the christening of the ship and "God didn't attend", meaning God did not approve of the name.
Another very similar interpretation:
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, many a shot was fired
God moves, moves, God moves, ah, and the people had to run and pray
Captain Smith gave orders, women and children first
Manning the lifeboats; piled right up, many alive were crushed
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 for their safety
When they heard their loved ones doomed, hearts did almost break
God moves, God moves, God moves, ah, and the people had to run and pray
E.J. Smith, mighty man, built a boat that he couldn't understand
Named it a name, God didn't attend. Never to see, Lord, the boat again.
God moves, ah, God moves, God moves, ah, and the people had to run and pray
Well...
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