What is the meaning of "deep river cross over"?
TW: Enslavement of African people, discussion of the Christian bible-just mentioned objectively.
Simply, it's a short phrase describing how I'm trying to escape anti-Black, capitalist hell-life. I'm tryna get out of here-every day. I'm trying to "cross over" (escape, run away, find my way across) the "deep river" (struggles of constant oppression).
"Deep River" is a negro spiritual: a folk song that is usually based on biblical text that were sung by enslaved Africans on plantations in the United States to get them through the day, pass secret messages, organize, warn each other of danger, and escape captivity. These songs were often ignored by slavemasters and overseers because, to them, they sounded like mundane work songs or just the grateful, Christian praises of their obedient, docile machines. The enslaved Africans used this under-estimation to their advantage, of course. More on spirituals one day soon.
Deep River has a special place in my heart.
Back when I was still trapped in academia; in the reality that I belonged there...I was a music student. I sang all day. And when we weren’t having white music shoved down our throats (which was 80% of the time), we got to sing negro spirituals (STILL in the “operatic” style, mind you...).
I chose "Deep River" from a songbook because it was simple, didn't require too much of me, and gave me a chance to use the low, chesty part of my voice, which I was usually denied. I felt powerful and sad when I sang it. In the sterile, judge-y context of academia and inauthentic life I lived at the time, I also felt alone.
Here are the lyrics:
Deep river
My home is over Jordan.
Deep river, lord.
I want to cross over into campground.
Oh, don't you want to go-
to that gospel feast?
That promised land-
where all is peace?
Deep river, lord.
I want to cross over into campground.
"Jordan" refers to the Jordan River, where according to the bible, Jesus was baptized, many biblical figures were killed, "miracles" were performed, and many others journeyed across to find freedom.
When sung by enslaved Africans, there were probably a few meanings. 1) a longing to leave the suffering of this life by dying, and finding either heaven or a peaceful afterlife. 2) The Jordan River was another way for Black people to refer to the Ohio River, which separated some free and slave states. To cross over it meant freedom from (direct) enslavement, for some. The third meaning, which more accurately represents my mission is 3) "Campground" to refer to secluded, separate, safer areas for Black people to commune with each other away from plantations. Here, they could eat, sing, play, dance, rest, and speak freely.
That last meaning perfectly explains my longing to separate and protect myself from a world that doesn't see anyone like me as an actual person. And I want to share that protected, separate space with loved ones who are dedicated to keeping each other safe from the evils that force us to take shelter. I pray that we can feel safe enough one day to actually relax and see who we'd be without the fight-or-flight we've always existed in before we were even born; without all of the standards: desirability, european sex & gender concepts, relational structures, and so on. I pray we rebirth ourselves. Breathe and restore. A feeling of true safety might not actually exist for us on this Earth, but I think it's worth it to try getting as close as possible.
The deep river I'm willing to cross to get there includes back-breaking work, patience, pain, violence, justice, failure, and disappointment.
The global Black popultion is owed every piece of safety we can get, to make up for centuries of it missing in action. Something else that grounds me in this dream is hearing others talk about their desire for the same escape. And it isn’t just a whisper or a hint of desire that I hear in some people, its loud, urgent need. Real fuel. I pray we get enough time to realize the shared dream.
