video credit: thehepcatturinmafia
The song is from the 1800's, originally sung by slaves holding on their faith to persevere through the hard times. The song became popular again during the civil rights movement. The song repeatedly uses the phrase, "Just like a tree that's planted by the waters, I shall not be moved," showing a stoic, passive resistance to unrelenting forces. It is easy to see why the song became popular during the civil rights movement, as its message aligns with that of Dr. Martin Luther King and the non-violent protests he supported. The repetition of "I shall not be moved" makes it feel like the singer is holding onto something that is in danger of being taken away. I would imagine that many slaves were holding onto what little traditions and ways of life they still had, trying to keep an identity with so much uncertainty in their future.
image credit: Rupert Sagar-Musgrave
The Bible verse that the song probably takes its title from is Jeremiah 17:8, "For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit," King James Version. Not only will you be unmoved, you will never cease to prosper, and never be in need.
Hi Patrick, Regardless of the photo credit and source link, your use of the 'olive tree in water' image here is copyright infringement of my photograph sourced without permission or obtaining a license for use. The image is copyright protected. A license fee is payable for the duration of any published image. Kindly delete it from this page.
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